Ross Kemp has revealed he found filming his latest hard-hitting documentary in Birmingham 'more shocking' than the effects of war in Afghanistan.

The former EastEnders star, 53, wore the same body armour from a shoot in war-torn Syria while filming on the streets of the British city.

He has questioned gangs in Brazil, exposed sex trafficking in India, and now the investigative journalist follows counter terrorism police in the West Midlands as they tackle drug gangs.

The Office Of National Statistics confirmed last year that the region had 'the highest rate of non-air firearm offences per 1100,000 population' in the UK.

Ross Kemp follows counter terrorism police in the West Midlands as they tackle drug gangs

The EastEnders star, 53, added he found his latest hard-hitting documentary, which follows counter terrorism police in the West Midlands, 'more shocking' than the effects of war in Afghanistan

He told the Metro: 'I am making a documentary about our armed response units and counter terrorist units – armed police across the UK...

'[I'm asking] do we have enough to meet the threat that is now posed to us?

'Not only by terrorists but also by the increase in the use of hand guns by drugs gangs... [I] wear the same body armour that I wore in Syria on the streets of Birmingham.'

Scary: Ross Kemp has revealed he wore the same body armour from a shoot in war-torn Syria while filming on the streets in Birmingham

The series, which is set to air later this year, follows Ross going behind the scenes of British Transport Police, South Yorkshire Police and police in Northumberland as well as West Midlands Police as they try to tackle drug gangs.

The former soap star explores gun violence in the city, where crime is rife - with more than 100 shootings being reported so far this year.

Ross, who first rose to fame as TV hardman Grant Mitchell in EastEnders before turning his talents to investigative journalism, added he felt blessed to 'travel the world and meet incredibly interesting people'.

Serious issue: Exploring gun crime in the city, he said '[I] wear the same body armour that I wore in Syria on the streets of Birmingham'

The investigative journalist's revelation comes just months after Sky decided to axe his Extreme World series, which saw him document homelessness, drug addiction, violence and poverty around the world, after six years on screen.

A spokesperson for the channel said previously: 'Our focus for Sky1 this year is offering customers even more great drama, comedy and factual entertainment.

'Going forward we are shifting away from commissioning factual shows on the channel, and Ross Kemp's Extreme World will be coming to an end after its upcoming series.'