Violent Playground

A series of unexplained fires in Liverpool is mystifying the police. After investigating a case of juvenile crime, Detective Jack Truman comes into contact with the Murphy family. As he becomes more involved with them, he begins to suspect Johnny, the elder brother, of being the arsonist and tails him. However, when the police show themselves, Johnny escapes in a van, killing someone in the process. With little to lose, he takes refuge in a school and holds a number of children hostage.