Extremism in Luton: Documentary shows abused woman forced to watch Isis beheadings by husband

The dramatic moment an abused woman is saved from her husband after he tried to take her to Syria and join the Islamic State (Isis) is to be shown in a documentary exposing life in one of Britain's most ethnically diverse towns.

The terrified victim – known only as Fatima – fled her home in Luton after being threatened and beaten by her husband from an arranged marriage. She was forced to watch gruesome videos of beheadings carried out by jihadists in Iraq and Syria, while also being taught about Isis.

If she disobeyed, her mother-in-law would hold her down as her husband punched her in the stomach, pulled on her hair and threatened her with a knife. The young woman was left suicidal after being told she would be killed if she went to the police or told her family in her home country of Bangladesh.

Her extraordinary story is to feature in an upcoming episode of Channel 4's 24 Hours in Police Custody on Thursday (5 May, 9pm), which shows officers from Bedfordshire Police tackle one of Britain's most diverse towns. Almost half of the population in Luton is non-white, while about a quarter are Muslim.

Investigating Officer Gill Cook-Smith said the town was one of "two extreme worlds", adding: "I would say Luton is a bit of a tinder box. You've got two big elements here: you've got the EDL, the English Defence League that grew in Luton with a guy called Tommy Robinson; and you've got the Muslim extremists.

"It is pretty hard for the police to deal with that. The July 7 bombers actually caught the train down from Luton. You've heard in the news recently of families, whole families, going off to Syria. There are two extreme worlds in Luton."

Robinson, who has now left the EDL and helps lead anti-Islam group Pegida UK, also features in the episode. The 33-year-old was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated assault following a fight with a Muslim in Peterborough Prison in July 2015.

He was eventually charged with a lesser offence of assault. His trial collapsed last month after he claimed he was acting in self-defence.

Speaking to documentary makers, Robinson says: "If you've got three kids like I've got and you're growing up in a town like this with everything that's going on – I think I've got a duty as a dad to try and change that.

"Luton was named by the American government [or] CIA as the epicentre of all terrorist activity. It's not a joke. There's killers out there. That's the thing. Talk about Isis – you don't have to fight them abroad, you're standing next to them in the bank."

The same show is to also feature a mother and her son after they were involved in a dispute with their Muslim neighbours.

Creating cohesion in Luton

The battle against right-wing groups and Muslim extremists has seen Luton's community create cross-faith initiatives to improve cohesion. This year has seen several clashes between anti-Islam activists and Muslim residents.

This includes the political party Britain First, which has carried out a number of "Christian patrols" through Luton. The activism sees the group, led by Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen, hand out anti-Islam literature to Muslims.

The patrols led both Golding and Fransen to be arrested by police on suspicion of wearing a political uniform. They are currently banned from entering Luton under bail conditions.

A joint letter signed by faith leaders, community groups and the town's MP said Britain First's protests had cost "hundreds of thousands of pounds" to the local economy and complained they were upsetting residents.

Addressed to Britain First, the letter said: "We resent the constant attempts to damage the reputation of our town by portraying it in a negative and indeed, dishonest way. We are hard-working, decent folk who seek to Iive peaceably with one another.

"We reject the efforts of those who seek to divide us along the lines of race or religion. As proud Britons and Lutonians we hold dear the universal values of good manners, courtesy and decency. We urge Britain First to do the same, and show respect for the people of Luton."

Channel 4's 24 Hours in Police Custody will air on Thursday (5 May) at 9pm.