THE contentious BBC series Bradford On Duty was back on national television for its third instalment last night.

"The Next Generation" addressed the city's problem with youths - focussing on crime, bonfire night and children's services.

From criminals dealing drugs to kids as young as nine years old to bricks and fireworks being thrown at cars, this episode had it all.

The show starts with police officers chasing a group of youths through the streets of Bradford city centre.

They manage to catch up to some of them on Bank Street and arrest a 15-year-old boy.

He is taken to the cells and Police Constable Toni Ramsden is shown speaking to his mum over the phone.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Police Constable Toni Ramsden works predominately in Bradford city centrePolice Constable Toni Ramsden works predominately in Bradford city centre

Toni reveals the sad reality that children as young as eight are causing criminal damage, shoplifting and committing robberies in the city centre.

READ: Our review of Bradford On Duty episode two

A cannabis raid is followed by Chief Inspector John Toothill trying to explain why Bradford has a drug problem.

He said: "Take away one drug dealer and two more turn up.

"Kids see it as glamorous. Dealers have Lamborghinis and Ferraris. It is hard for them to look up to me who is in my mum's Kia Rio.

"They are tomorrow's police officers and doctors but also tomorrow's criminals."

The misuse of fireworks is an issue that has plagued Bradford for years leading to frustration amongst our emergency services.

CI Toothill describes bonfire night as the "worst and busiest" for our emergency services.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Chief Inspector John Toothill featured heavily in last night's showChief Inspector John Toothill featured heavily in last night's show

He thinks it allows people to feel lawless, like in the film The Purge, as they create a "war zone" on the streets.

Maulana Fazal Dad, an Imam in BD3, is seen patrolling the streets and talking to youth on the day.

READ: PCSO slammed for 'people were eating cats' comment on Bradford On Duty

The most frightening incident of the night is when CI Toothill is alerted that a young chap called Samir has had a brick thrown at his head through his car window.

Samir was knocked out by the attack from a group of youths, on Pollard Lane, and is getting attended to by the ambulance service when the police arrive.

CI Toothill remarks: "It is hard not to feel angry. They are just absolute animals."

Cameras then follow Police Constable Josh Stevenson who says bonfire night is "an easy opportunity for people to go out and cause havoc."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Police officers being briefed before the madness that is Bonfire nightPolice officers being briefed before the madness that is Bonfire night

We are taken to Great Horton Road where police come unstuck as they are pelted by fireworks from over a dozen of yobs.

PC Stevenson added: "Parts of Bradford are almost unpolicable.

"They (the yobs) stop us from dealing with someone genuinely in need, it does p**s me off.

"It looks bad driving off but we were a sitting target. I don't fancy having a firework to the face."

The owner of a Bradford fireworks shop then remarked: "Let's enjoy fireworks and don't prat about with them."

PCSO Kiran Pullan, who appeared in episode one, is back on the show patrolling her area, BD3, where she grew up.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: PCSO Kiran Pullan returned.PCSO Kiran Pullan returned.

She admits it is drug oriented and even says she has seen 15 and 16-year-olds dealing to 9-year-olds.

Kiran added: "BD3 is completely different from when I was a kid.

"There was trust amongst the community and you would see kids playing on the street. Now there are gangs and groups everywhere."

READ: Future unclear of grotesque Bradford flats seen in Bradford On Duty

The show speaks to a youth in the area who labels the police b******s.

Kiran attends a blaze in a green space caused by bins being on fire.

"This is like a night out for us, we're just going to do another fire," nearby residents shouted at Kiran and her team.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The fire scene that Kiran visits in BD3The fire scene that Kiran visits in BD3 (Image: BBC)

Despite all the doom and gloom of the 60-minute showing, the great work from several youth workers is also highlighted.

Calais Lawrence, a Bradford Council youth worker, helps a teen, who was drinking and taking drugs and had not been to school in over two years, before Calais' 10-week intervention.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Youth worker Sharat Hussain features in this week's episode.Youth worker Sharat Hussain features in this week's episode.

Sharat Hussain's CIC Volunteer Youth Centre in Manningham is the next stop. He labels drug dealing as the "root of all evil".

A police officer compares the action of getting youths involved in the crime to grooming and says they become trapped once in the game.