White Riot: Joe Thomas and Amen Alonge

Joe’s stunning true-crime thriller starts in 1978 whenThe National Front is gaining ground in Hackney. Anti-fascist groups launch the Carnival Against Racism in Victoria Park and the police officer at the event is charged with investigating racist attacks in the area and running Spycops in both far-right and left wing groups. Skip forward to 1983 where a young black man has died in suspicious circumstances at Stoke Newington police station. Racial tensions are being weaponised under a Thatcher government. Joe talks to Amen Alonge whose own thrillers (A Good Day to Die and A Good Night to Kill) explore a London riddled with racial and class tensions.