SOUTHEND’S very own “Starsky and Hutch” were the stars of a documentary following Essex Police officers as a new series hit our TV screens this week.

The first episode of Sky One show The Force: Essex focussed mainly on Southend and followed roads policing officers dealing with a variety of incidents.

In one scene, PC James Brewer and PC Ian Flynn were seen pursuing a car along Queensway and onto London Road before other officers used a stinger device to stop the car.

The officers then arrested two men for theft and possession of class A drugs.

Another segment featured Mr Brewer and colleague PC Daryl Jones- famed by their Twitter followers for their “bromance.”

This time, the officers were called to concerns for the safety of a man seen walking in the road in Queensway.

On the way, a driver clips a parked car and the officers are forced to stop and deal with it. Other units then attended the emergency.

While dealing with the incident, the officers witness a man driving down a one-way street, prompting Mr Brewer to say: “It’s like people want to cause me a heart attack.”

It later transpired that the driver involved in the crash was disqualified.

Viewers took to Twitter to praise the pair, with Alistair McLeod tweeting: “Southend’s Starsky and Hutch.”

Others were concerned the documentary was not a true reflection of the town. Rachel Silverlock, 31, a mum-of-two of Sutton Road, Southend, said: “You hear about crime but it is a bit worrying if it gives a bad impression of the town to other people.”

Kieran Kelly, 43, of Warrior Square, Southend, said: “Hopefully it shows criminals not to come here or they could end up on TV.”

Echo:

Rapper and ex-gangster tells TV show about his ‘demons’

A FORMER gang member living in Southend told a TV documentary he struggles to live with his “demons” after serving 17 years in prison.

The controversial Channel 5 series Inside the Gang featured a man called Red Rum, real name Tyrone Castello, who moved to Essex after spending most of his life in a south London gang.

He told the filmmakers: “I wasted 17 years cos I went to prison. In and out for most of my life.

“I didn’t think I could out here again, to tell you the truth.”

Mr Castello now records videos of himself rapping and posts them online, although he said he receives mixed reviews from viewers.

He said: “I’m loved and I’m hated. The youngsters- you don’t know what’s going through their heads right now. They think I’m of their age. But I’m not. They’re saying I’m a comedy artist but these are real raw emotions.

“This is just me. I wonder how deep my demons really are. Sometimes I wonder what is it I’m dealing with. I used to be alright.”