WILL Neil Maxwell manage to get on a bus and reach court in time?

The breathless narrator knows the viewers' curiosity is further piqued with the knowledge that the 36-year-old has just downed several diazapam tablets and seems unable to even recall what a bus might look like.

"Failure to get to court today could see Maxwell arrested and locked up," the excitable voiceover adds - building the suspense to a crescendo normally only reserved for Eddie Stobart; Trucks and Trailers.

Predictably, he arrives late - respectably dressed in shorts and a blue vest - only to find the case, involving the misappropriation of a leaf blower, discontinued.

Welcome to the suspense-filled world of Benefits Street which has descended on Kingston Road on Stockton's Tilery Estate "where nearly everyone is on benefits" following its initial controversial series filming in James Turner Street, Birmingham.

Earlier, the producers, who are clearly aiming to sacrifice Maxwell on the altar of Daily Mail outrage explain he is one resident who is "working for himself". Nudge, nudge. Wink, wink.

The narrator helpfully explains Maxwell has spent three years in jail for robbery and has a string of run-ins with the law as he is filmed hard at work - bagging up cannabis for sale. Later, he is shown smoking a bong.

We are then told Maxwell claims income support and disability allowance for "memory loss".

Maxwell, who cheerfully admits to owning a £500 mountain bike, is then seen withdrawing his cash and heading straight to the tanning salon.

The interviewer later asks when his last sunbed session was. "Yesterday", he grins.

The Northern Echo:
STREET STAR: Julie Young

Last night Cleveland Police issued a statement from Chief Superintendent Gordon Lang which said: "We saw the episode broadcast tonight for the first time and some viewers will be concerned about the drug misuse and criminal activity being shown.

"We will assess the footage as to whether it can assist us in any live investigations or whether new investigations will be launched as a result of the programme."

The majority of reality shows thrive on conflict, outrage, bad behaviour with an added twist of humanity.

Benefit Street finds so little - Maxwell aside - that much of the first episode concentrates on settling scores with 'The Press' who naturally turn up to report the goings on.

They show the residents - all the time being filmed by Love Productions for the Channel 4 show - being outraged at the presence of other reporters from local and national newspapers as well as the BBC.

"I wouldn't buy a paper because everything they write is shite" says one, angry at being 'exploited' by other media.

However, this is mainly down to The Sun - who dub Dot Taylor, 48 'Orange Dot - the perma-tanned gran'.

For the record, Dot is of mixed race and her skin colour is natural - her mother being Indian and her dad, Scottish.

The Northern Echo:
MIXED RACE: Dot Taylor

Like The Sun though, the makers of Benefit Street are equally as guilty when it comes to creating stereotypes and exploiting people.

The documentary even starts with a warning: 'Expect drug use and strong language throughout'.

Yes, the language is a bit industrial; yes, people put their bins out in their pyjamas and enjoy a can of lager on a sunny afternoon.

But, from what I could see, the other residents featured seemed decent human beings struggling against adversity in a grinding recession which always hits 'forgotten' estates like Tilery harder than most.

And streets and people like these can be found in most places. Not just Stockton.

Two of the street's mainstays are Julie Young and her pal Sue Griffiths. Julie, 53, used to work for the council as a community support liaison but stopped work 15 years ago when son Reagan suffered a stroke at just nine-months-old, leaving him severely brain damaged.

The single mum has already been type cast as street matriarch - the 'White Dee' of Stockton. However, to see her with Reagan - cuddling him on her knee as she sings to him, it is clear that she is simply a marvellous human being getting by in the best she can in very difficult circumstances.

Sue and Julie readily help where they can, spreading advice and friendship. They even serve up Sunday dinners for less fortunate neighbours such as Lee Nutley.

The 42-year-old worked in construction before being layed off and admits to suffering from depression and anxiety for more than eight years.

"A lot of my mates have committed suicide once they reached breaking point."

He puts some of his troubles down to waking up in bed to find his girlfriend had died by his side.

"She choked on her vomit in her sleep," he adds.

Despite the hype, Kingston Road didn't look too much like Sodom and Gomorrah. Even the kid pulling a wheelie on his moped had L plates and a full-face helmet.

While Benefits Street tries to create cheap soap opera, it surely has missed a trick by not delving deeper into the residents' lives and providing a real insight.

Statement from Cleveland Police about drug misuse on Benefits Street show

CHIEF Superintendent Gordon Lang said: “We have been aware that Love Productions has been filming in Kingston Road in Stockton for some time.  We have not been working with Channel 4 or the production company whilst they film Benefits Street and they have not actively engaged us.

“Like viewers across the country, we saw the episode broadcast tonight for the first time and some viewers will be concerned about the drug misuse and criminal activity being shown.

“We will assess the footage as to whether it can assist us in any live investigations or whether new investigations will be launched as a result of the programme.

“Our local policing officers care passionately about the Kingston Road area and have created good links with residents. They have their ears to the ground, gathering information on criminal activity to put people behind bars and keep the streets safe.

“You may continue to see our officers on the programme as they work with partners to tackle crime – and whilst this will show a snapshot in time to a national audience, this work continues everyday for the benefit of local people.

“Patrols in the area will continue as normal tomorrow, and I would use this opportunity to appeal to anyone within our communities who sees crime taking place, to call us on the non-emergency number 101, 999 for an emergency response, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”