In July 1981, police in Toxteth in Liverpool came under attack from a crowd that was burning buildings and hurling petrol bombs. The police retaliated by firing CS gas. Twenty years on, Gerry Northam looks at the causes and consequences of this outbreak of violence, and its relevance to this summer's disorders.

A Long Hot Summer 8.00pm R4
The year 1981 had something more important than a cricket match to make it memorable: there was also a series of inner city riots. Last week Gerry Northam's series dealt with Brixton, in south London, tonight he recalls the troubles in Toxteth, Liverpool, where rioting shook the first Thatcher government and led to the first use by British police of CS gas. The political fall-out included Michael Heseltine being sent to Toxteth by Thatcher in an attempt to come up with an investment programme for the inner cities, giving Heseltine a high profile but drawing mixed reactions on the ground. Gerry Northam investigates whether the lessons of Toxteth have been learned, or forgotten. Peter Barnard

Proms choice: Simon Rattle conducts Fidelio. 7.30pm Radio 3