The dark side of UK's seaside towns

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has vowed to revive the high street which he says had been "hollowed out" by decades of decline.

The downturn in recent years has been felt by many and the dark underbelly that has developed in some areas has been explored by this programme extensively, in particular the link between high street vape shops, organised crime, and child exploitation.

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So, with summer in full swing, are the holiday towns of our most scenic areas still a draw or have years of deprivation led to the seaside losing its sparkle?

For the latest in our Home Truths series, Joe Johnson is in Devon, exploring the coastal towns of Torquay and Ilfracombe

Torbay Council later told us: "For a variety of reasons it is not always possible for us to provide accommodation for some individuals with their particular circumstances, but we still try and help as much as is possible with their needs".

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Producer/Director: William Davies
Reporter: Joe Johnson
Assistant Producer: Jo Heywood

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0:00 - Intro
0:30 - How has Torquay changed?
4:23 - "Not a nice place to open a shop"
6:36 - Struggles in Ilfracombe
9:55 - What do Torquay's visitors think?
10:36 - Hope for the future

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