Benefits Street families are fighting for fairness

It may once have been one of your average West Midlands roads. But after being thrust into the spotlight as the focus of Channel 4's documentary Benefits Street, it has become somewhat of a national obsession.

And the people living in it have now come out fighting during an emotional public meeting last night.

White Dee, Fungi and young couple Mark and Becky are among the 'characters' of the now infamous street at the centre of a media storm after the documentary started to be aired.

But none of those made famous by the controversial documentary crew emerged to attend the hastily arranged meeting yards from their homes at Oasis Foundry Academy last night.

Around 120 people, including assorted journalists, flocked to the school to show their anger at the show which attracted more than five million viewers for its second episode on Monday.

Community leaders, councillors and people living in the wider area condemned the programme while calling for people to see the 'real' street.

The meeting was called by community charity Oasis UK which has just taken over the school. Plans for a Question Time-style debate were revealed at the public meeting following talks between the Oasis UK's founder Steve Chalke and Channel 4 executives yesterday.

Mr Chalke, who chaired the meeting, said he had been told the live debate show would be shown at the end of the Benefits Street series. And he said the executives had promised that representatives from the community would be able to appear on the debate.

But the sceptical audience at the meeting were underwhelmed by the proposal as they continued to berate the show's producers.

They also shouted down his proposals to send a letter on behalf on residents to The Times newspaper to tell their side of the story, saying it had no weight without the support of those living on Benefits Street.

Almost 45,000 people have now signed a petition calling for the show to be axed, despite Channel Four bosses insisting the show is 'fair and balanced'.

But it has sparked outcry among some sectors of society. Even Prime Minister David Cameron has said the show is a 'reminder people need help'.

West Midlands Police is also investigating complaints about lawlessness in the show, while they are also looking at online threats made to some of those who appear in the documentary.

Mr Chalke said the community needed to get their point of view across to cut the backlash against those in the street.

He said: "There is a story that has been told about this community and unless you tell a different story it is the only story in town. That story will become the legacy."

Two of Benefits Street's residents, who would only give their names as Mr Jones and Mr Robinson, came along and spoke about their family's experiences.

Mr Robinson said the film crew from Love Productions had spent 12 months filming extensively in the street.

But he said: "The people who live here have been demonised.

"They have had their lives threatened."

Mr Jones said he and his partner were both filmed but grew weary when they saw an advert calling the series Benefits Street.

He added: "We were told it was going to be called The Street or James Turner Street."

Desmond Jaddoo, who runs the charitable organisation Birmingham Empowerment Forum, said: "The community is being kicked while it is down. The community has a responsibility to look after itself but there are communities that need a hand to stand up for themselves."

Ward Councillor Chaman Lal, who has represented the Soho area for 20 years said: "I was expecting some of the James Turner Street residents to come here but they remain very apprehensive to speak to anyone and the media."