Although these groups contributed to the local economy, they have suffered much racism and in Handsworth, and neighbouring Lozells, the problems and discontent escalated in September 1985 (an earlier riot took place in 1981). As in many parts of Britain, the conflict between black people in Birmingham and the police was a long-standing one. Blanket raids on black meeting places and a "stop and search" policy increased the tension between the police and the black community.

Many of these problems were focused upon attempts by media regulators continually trying to crush the "free radio" (pirate radio) station PCRL. This Handsworth station specifically catered to the West Indian population and gave voice to discontent. But the station also has a long and continuing history of attempting to provide not only a media outlet for alternative points of view, but support for a cottage industry of self-help programmes. PCRL carried programs that attempted to focus US media attention on the problems faced by PCRL and the West Indian community in Handsworth.

After the Handsworth riots caused a huge publicity shock to world perception of British toleration, the heavy handed approach on the community was slackened, although a weakened PCRL remained unlicensed. Local government was forced into building new community relations as a way of managing both racial and cultural differences. Encouragement was provided by arts organisation like West Midlands Ethnic Minority Arts Service and private groups such as Shades of Black, which works closely with the community and is still going strong today.

Handsworth Wood is a loosely defined area in the north west of Birmingham, England, with a population in the region of 25,000. It is also a ward within the formal district of Perry Barr. Located within the metropolitan county of the West Midlands since 1974, it was previously a part of the county of Staffordshire. Handsworth Wood is regarded by estate agents as "upmarket" in comparison to the neighbouring district of Handsworth, but is disadvantaged by its extra distance from Birmingham city centre. Local amenities include: King Edward VI Handsworth Girl's Grammar School and Handsworth Grammar School, Soho Road, St. Mary's Church, Handsworth and Handsworth Park.

Birmingham historian Dr.Carl Chinn noted that during WW2 the boundary between Handsworth and Handsworth Wood marked the line between being safe and unsafe from bombing, with Handsworth Wood being an official evacuation zone. (ref: Carl Chinn (1996) Brum Undaunted: Birmingham During the Blitz, Birmingham Library Services)

There is a Birmingham City electoral ward called Handsworth Wood comprising part of Handsworth and nearly all of Handsworth Wood made up of distinct cultures and built environments - the once salubrious Victorian suburb, now "inner-city" Handsworth, consisting of some of the finest Victorian houses in the city, increasingly being refurbished to complement the £9 million restoration of Handsworth Park, and Handsworth Wood dominated by characteristically suburban pre-war semi-detached and detached properties. Handsworth Wood is home to the University of Central England's Hamstead campus.