A NEW TV documentary focuses on Yassar Yaqub, who was shot dead by police on an M62 slip road in 2017 after returning from a meeting in Bradford.

Hometown, a BBC Three documentary, follows award-winning journalist Mobeen Azhar who moves back to his hometown of Huddersfield to cover the death of Mr Yaqub.

Mr Yaqub was killed in January 2017 and his death led to protests on the streets of West Yorkshire, and the launch of a Justice For Yassar campaign.

He had been the front seat passenger in one of two cars travelling in convoy from Bradford to Kirklees when four unmarked police vehicles surrounded them at junction 24 of the motorway at Ainley Top, near Huddersfield.

Mr Azhar returns to Huddersfield following the shooting to write an article about the events that led to Mr Yaqub's death.

The BBC describes the six-part documentary, as: "But with rumours of drug empires, money laundering and high performance cars, just days into his reporting of the case Mobeen realises that there is a much bigger story in town. With violence on the streets and a town that is terrified to talk, Mobeen attempts to find out where the truth really lies in a journey that forces him to face some ugly truths about his community and hometown."

Of the documentary, Mr Azhar says: "Yassar was 28 when he was shot by the police just off the M62 entering Huddersfield. He was a much-loved son and also a father. The circumstances of his death shocked many Huddersfield residents.

"I remember being contacted by friends at the time as there were so many questions about the events that unfolded. I’m a journalist so naturally I gravitated towards a story that was rooted in my hometown and my community, and I decided to return to Huddersfield to write an article about Yassar Yaqub and the events that led to his death.

"When I first met Mohammed Yaqub, Yassar’s father, he invited me into his home and to cover some of the Justice For Yassar campaign rallies. I took a camera crew with me to document my research and progress."

He adds that when people asked what he was doing back in town and he mentioned why, it "made many people feel uncomfortable".

"There was talk of ‘rumours’ and I felt a tangible sense of apprehension - many individuals told me I should “be careful about what I was getting myself into”.

His investigation goes on to explore the links between British Pakistanis in Yorkshire and the national and international drugs trade.

He also spent time with heroin users in Bradford.

The full series box set is available on BBC Three from 10am on June 19. Episodes one and two air on BBC One on the same day.