The Fraud Capital Of Britain

Episodes

First
Broadcast
RepeatedComments
20090811

Thamesmead was one of the most exciting new towns to be built in the 1960s, intended as a vibrant, riverside community of 60,000 people in south east London. Forty years on, the area is perhaps best known as a notorious hub of fraud, dubbed 'Little Lagos' because of its association with west African criminal gangs.

Phil Kemp investigates how this reputation has stuck. He talks to a former fraudster and meets residents fighting to turn the community around and shake off its crime-ridden image.

Phil Kemp investigates the reputation of Thamesmead in south east London.

2009081120090816 (R4)

Thamesmead was one of the most exciting new towns to be built in the 1960s, intended as a vibrant, riverside community of 60,000 people in south east London. Forty years on, the area is perhaps best known as a notorious hub of fraud, dubbed 'Little Lagos' because of its association with west African criminal gangs.

Phil Kemp investigates how this reputation has stuck. He talks to a former fraudster and meets residents fighting to turn the community around and shake off its crime-ridden image.

Phil Kemp investigates the reputation of Thamesmead in south east London.