The police deal with a spate of thefts of Christmas trees, while Insp. Longton considers her career options in light of her failed bid for promotion.

Insp. Darbley deals with an elderly couple who refuse to comply with an eviction order.

A store detective's life starts to fall apart when she is compulsorily retired.

A gang, disguised as a shooting party, take the wife of a bank manager hostage.

Insp. Longton informs a woman of the death of her daughter from a drug overdose, but the mother seems to be hiding something.

Two women struggle to cope with loneliness, with tragic consequences for one of them.

Insp. Longton enquires after John Morton, a dangerous young man who has returned to Hartley.

Insp Darbley is anxious to find out what Frankie Miller is doing in Hartley, and why Dick Graydon is covering up for him.

Insp. Longton suspects the involvement of animal rights activists when a butcher and a pathologist are subjected to harassment.

Police investigate a pet shop owner accused of inappropriate relations with a young child.

PC Ted Palmer challenges Insp Darbley's authority, with unhappy consequences.

Insp Longton tries to protect some children from a deadly habit.

A man detained overnight for being drunk and disorderly reports seing a young girl in chains.

Insp. Longton investigates an alleged affair between a teacher and one of his pupils.

Insp. Longton agrees to a meeting about a forthcoming speaking engagement, but finds herself in a perilous situation.

A man who was presumed dead after disappearing ten years earlier turns up to see Sgt. Beck.

P.C. Martin Helmshore faces a serious accusation.

Two brothers-in-law, on opposite sides during the miners' strike, are at loggerheads.

A new police inspector, Jean Darbley, arrives at Hartley police station and immediately has to deal with a man who takes his daughter from her home at gunpoint.

A body is found in Hartley, and Insp Darbley helps a detective from the Metropolitan Police Flying Squad with the murder investigation.

Information from an informant has sent a man to jail, with serious consequences for Insp Darbley's private life.

Hartley Police Station prepares for a visit from the Chief Constable.

Insp Darbley clashes with her new boss, Chief Superintendent Albert Hallam.

Tom Darblay attends to an illness in the family, while P.C. Gallagher has his own family crisis.

The police have to deal with the logistics of the annual pop festival. Meanwhile, a celebrated former resident returns to Hartley to visit his daughter.