Police have arrested three suspects who appeared in a BBC news broadcast speaking about drugs and knives on a North East estate.
During the broadcast with youths on a Middlesbrough estate, one is seen pulling out a large knife from beneath his jacket and brandishing it saying: "It's brutal here. You have to be prepared. If someone is going to stab you, you have to stab them."
The youths, all disguised in balaclavas, also produced plastic packets containing what they claimed was crack cocaine, saying they sell hundreds a week. 
Speaking to BBC reporter Ed Thomas, two said they had started dealing drugs as young as 14.
They went on to describe seeing numerous incidents of violence, including people being stabbed with "smack needles" and a shooting.
Cleveland Police have now confirmed they have identified and arrested three suspects.
The BBC visited communities in Middlesbrough, including North Ormesby, where people say that crime is their top election issue.
Ed Thomas spent three days there speaking to people, and found that the impact of drugs and knife crime was at the forefront of their minds.
Questioning the three youths, he asked them what they would say to the politicians. One replied: "Catch us if you can ha ha."
But pressed further they went on to say they wanted a better and didn't want to sell drugs all their lives.
During the programme, one resident described having suffered numerous stab wounds. Lifting up his shirt he said: "Twice there, twice there, three times there and one on my back. I am lucky to be alive."
Superintendent Marc Anderson, District Commander for Middlesbrough said: “Cleveland Police is pleased to confirm that following the broadcast of the BBC News story about crime in Middlesbrough, we have successfully identified and arrested three suspects who appeared in the news piece as part of the discussion about drugs and knife crime.
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"These individuals have been bailed pending further investigations.
“Since the story aired on the BBC our officers have worked hard to identify the suspects as we will not tolerate such behaviour and activity in our communities.
“If you have any information about the individuals who featured in the BBC News story please contact Cleveland Police on 101.”
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