The Hungerford Massacre

Every few years a crime happens that is so momentous it leaves an indelible mark on the whole nation. This BBC programme reconstructs the Hungerford Massacre and considers how it changed Britain. On 19 August 1987 a small village in Berkshire became the setting for what was then the biggest mass murder in British history. Heavily armed with a Kalashnikov, an automatic rifle and a Beretta pistol, Michael Ryan took to the streets of Hungerford firing at anyone in his path. By the end of the afternoon Ryan had gunned down 16 people including his own mother, seriously wounded another 15 people and transformed the lives of everyone who was unlucky enough to be there that day. (Source: BBC)