5 Lines Up The Real Adolescence: Our Killer Kids

ITN Productions’ 90-minute documentary The Real Adolescence: Our Killer Kids is set to bow on 5 on May 8.

The film delves into the rise in murder convictions for 12- to 17-year-olds in the U.K. by speaking with those affected by the crimes and various experts. This includes Stuart Stephens, whose son was killed in 2021 at age 13; Rohan Strand, whose son was stabbed on his way home from school in 2023; and Hayley Ryall, whose son was killed at a house party in 2023.

Experts involved include Alison Cope, anti-violence campaigner whose son was also killed; consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Sohom Das; forensic psychologist Kerry Danes; and The Ben Kinsella Trust’s CEO, Patrick Green.

“Child killers is a horrific topic that has been brought back to the top of the agenda by Adolescence, but this documentary is real life,” said Daniel Smith, executive producer at ITN. “We want to thank all the contributors for sharing their personal stories and hope that by bringing them together, we have focused on the shattering impact of these crimes and included experts to suggest how they might be prevented.”

Dan Louw, commissioning editor at 5, added, “This is a shocking and sobering film about a national emergency, and I challenge every parent to watch it. For years, we’ve written off growing levels of youth violence as a mere ‘moral panic,’ but this film demonstrates that this approach is failing our kids and victims of violence.”