The Bill (series 12)

The Bill Series 12
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of episodes 156
Broadcast
Original channel ITV
Original run 2 January 1996 –
31 December 1996
Series chronology
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The 12th series of The Bill, a British television drama, consisted of 156 episodes.

Episodes

# Title Episode notes Directed by Written by Original air date Prod #
1 "Call Waiting" John Bruce Simon Moss 2 January, 1996
Skase and Croft investigate a series of hoax phone calls that are tearing a family apart. 
2 "Second Sense" Diana Patrick Peter Gibbs 4 January, 1996
Loxton and Slater deal with a woman drink-driver. 
3 "Runners Up" Nick Laughland Robert Jones 5 January, 1996
Meadows offers a bottle of scotch as a reward for catching an elusive burglar. 
4 "Keeping It in the Family" Frank W. Smith Tony Lindsay 9 January, 1996
Lines and Skase try to avert an ice-cream war in Sun Hill after a vendor is assaulted. 
5 "Home Truths" Danny Dyer guest stars. June Howson Katharine Way 11 January, 1996
Ackland and Jarvis follow up a vicious assault. 
6 "Outer" Nick Laughland J. C. Wilsher 12 January, 1996
Boulton is determined to arrest a local drug dealer, at any cost. 
7 "Better Half" Catherine Morshead Jonathan David 16 January, 1996
Beech and Croft investigate the murder of a hairdresser who had been fighting for a share of her dead fiancé's estate. 
8 "No Assistance Required" Robin Sheppard Richard Stoneman 18 January, 1996
Datta is called to a burglary and is subjected to the unwanted affections of a civic-minded admirer. Monroe is suspicious when Loxton tries to settle an old score. 
9 "Judgement Call" Final appearance of PC Cathy Marshall, Tina Hobley guest stars. Hour-long episode Martin Hutchings Julian Spilsbury 19 January, 1996
What begins as a routine night for the officers at Sun Hill ends in personal tragedy. 
10 "Old Dogs, New Tricks" Frank W. Smith Jonathan Myerson 23 January, 1996
As Sun Hill gets to grips with its new computer system, Boyden discovers that it pays to stay one step ahead of the opposition. 
11 "Worst Fears" Part one of a two part story, Clare Holman guest stars. 25 January, 1996
While Deakin investigates the kidnapping of a five-year-old boy, Conway gets some unsettling news. 
12 "One Night With You" Part two of a two part story 26 January, 1996
Five-year-old Tommy Laker is still missing, and Deakin discovers an evil and sinister ring which may hold the clue. 
13 "Someone Else's Problem" John Bruce Renny Krupinski 30 January, 1996
Datta and Quinnan look into the mysterious death of a jogger, while Ackland and Jarvis try to reconcile a couple of warring lovers. 
14 "Bounds of Decency" Corin Campbell Hill Avril E. Russell 1 February, 1996
Slater and Garfield struggle to keep the peace when two women fall out over the same man. 
15 "Happy Birthday" Sarah Harding Tom Needham 2 February, 1996
Meadows and Croft investigate the murder of an elderly woman, and question two young children living on the floor below who may have heard what happened. 
16 "Stop the Music" Sharon Duncan-Brewster guest stars. Sarah Harding Margaret Ousby 6 February, 1996
Croft and a badly-hungover Beech investigate when a body is found in a car with a large amount of crack cocaine. 
17 "Cold Light of Day" Corin Campbell Hill David G. McDonagh 8 February, 1996
A reconstruction brings forward an unexpected witness to an assault on a 15-year-old boy. 
18 "Back in Business" Laurence Moody Peter Gibbs 9 February, 1996
Acting Supt. Conway is stirred into action by a face from the past. 
19 "Separate Rooms" Jan Sargent Nick Crittenden 13 February, 1996
Lines investigates an allegation of underaged sex. 
20 "Going Guilty" James Hawes Mark Holloway 15 February, 1996
Cryer and Slater follow up on a murder but a legal loophole may allow the perpetrator to get away with it. 
21 "Pieces of Cake" Derek Lister Maxwell Young 16 February, 1996
Beech is caught in the crossfire when uniform and C.I.D. fall out over a directive from Brownlow. 
22 "Somebody's Home" Jan Sargent Simon Tyrrell 20 February, 1996
Quinnan and Keane have to help someone with a conviction for assaulting a police officer. 
23 "Pointing the Finger" Simon Meyers Edwin Pearce 22 February, 1996
Carver and Skase investigate an assault on an Asian schoolboy. 
24 "Boy Meets Girl" James Hawes Simon Moss 23 February, 1996
Croft investigates a series of vicious sexual assaults. 
25 "Confession" Brief appearance of DS Danny Pearce. Final appearance of PC Donna Harris. David Richards Terry Hodgkinson 27 February, 1996
Meadows and Carver have to look again at a man cleared of murder. Hour-long episode. 
26 "Home From Home" June Howson Stephen McAteer 27 February, 1996
Stamp and Slater are called to supervise the eviction of a father from his home. 
27 "Open Wound" John Bruce Tom Needham 1 March, 1996
Skase and Deakin deal with a wounded crack dealer shot in the yard of a pub. 
28 "Perfect Match" Laurence Moody Carolyn Sally Jones 1 March, 1996
Beech and Croft try to track down a violent attacker. 
29 "Someone Special" Bruce Alexander guest stars. Gwennan Sage Carolyn Sally Jones 7 March, 1996
Lines and Skase investigate a possible arson attack on a nightclub. 
30 "Bits and Pieces" Simon Meyers Terry Hodgkinson 8 March, 1996
Boyden and Slater search for the owner of a severed hand found on a rubbish tip. 
31 "Home Help" Michael Simpson Peter Mills 12 March, 1996
Cryer and Slater handle a tricky case involving a disabled former police officer and his wayward son. 
32 "Kicked Out" Michael Ferguson Stephen C. Handley 14 March, 1996
Jarvis and Page are called in to help in the deportation of an illegal immigrant who escapes from custody. 
33 "On the Block" Michael Ferguson J. C. Wilsher 15 March, 1996
Boulton loses a suspect during an arrest and has to ask Monroe to help get him back. 
34 "Getting Off" 19 March, 1996
Boulton investigates a convicted drug addict and clashes with a drugs worker. 
35 "Girls' Night" Gill Wilkinson Gwyneth Hughes 21 March, 1996
Loxton and Page deal with a bridegroom who disrupts a hen night. 
36 "Blood Brothers" Jeremy Silberston Manjit Singh 22 March, 1996
Meadows tries to get the truth from a terminally-ill Asian man after one of his sons is fatally injured during a family dispute. 
37 "Broken Homes" Elaine Donnelly guest stars. Robert Del Maestro Gregory Evans 23 March, 1996
Loxton and Keane chase a local tearaway, who gets injured. Conway has to deal with the resultant accusations of police harassment. 
38 "A Hornet's Nest" Robert Del Maestro Candy Denman 28 March, 1996
Greig is charged with police brutality following a raid on a burglar's home. 
39 "Dead of Night" The Bill 1000th episode. Ian White Julian Jones 29 March, 1996
Quinnan's whereabouts are questioned when he fails to notice an injured woman on the station doorstep. June Ackland becomes acting Sergeant. 
40 "Party Pooper" Daniel Casey guest stars James Hawes Isabelle Grey 2 April, 1996
Slater's ability is questioned when he appears to mishandle two violent thugs at a party and his wallet, containing his warrant card, is stolen. 
41 "More Haste" Jeremy Silberston David Hoskins 4 April, 1996
Keane has a bad day in court, while Monroe follows up on a domestic incident. 
42 "Beating the Odds" Amelia Curtis guest stars. Ian White Edwin Pearce 5 April, 1996
Boulton investiges a notorious local bookie and prompts suspicions about Beech's private life. 
43 "Animal" Ian Reddington and Sara Powell guest stars. Kate Cheeseman Tom Needham 9 April, 1996
Boyden and Datta try to secure a conviction against a vicious pimp. 
44 "Dangerous Game" Final appearance of Sgt Ray Steele. Hour-long episode. Tracey Wilkinson guest stars. Brian Parker Elizabeth-Anne Wheal 10 April, 1996
Boulton, Carver and Deakin take part in a Flying Squad operation against a vicious gang of armed robbers. 
45 "Dancers" Kathleen Worth and Tenniel Evans guest stars. Nick Laughland Mark Holloway 12 April, 1996
Brownlow organises a tea dance for the Metropolitan Police Pensioners' and Widows' Society. 
46 "And Nothing But" Michael Simpson Richard Stoneman 16 April, 1996
Loxton arrests a black man he suspects is responsible for a mugging and is accused of racism. 
47 "Tale of Two Cities" Tom Cotter Spenser Frearson 18 April, 1996
Greig is in pursuit of a local drug dealer. Two teenagers arrested for possession refuse to provide any information about their supplier. 
48 "Cheating" Kate Cheeseman Spenser Frearson 19 April, 1996
Quinnan and Hollis have to decide whether a pub quiz champion is breaking the rules. Skase deals with the unfaithful wife of a local villain. 
49 "Decent Proposals" Gill Wilkinson Jonathan Myerson 23 April, 1996
Loxton and Quinnan investigate an employment agency that provides lucrative opportunities to women with financial troubles. 
50 "Going For a Song" Brief appearance by DS Mike Dashwood. Martin Hutchings Julian Spilsbury 25 April, 1996
Carver calls on a former colleague to help with an antique clock that is a target for theft. 
51 "Value Added" Donna Alexander guest stars. Simon Meyers Barry Simner 26 April, 1996
Hollis goes undercover in the seedy world of vice in pursuit of the unscrupulous owner of a clip joint. 
52 "Professional Ethics" Chris Lovett David Hoskins 30 April, 1996
Greig and Lines investigate graffiti attacks on motor vehicles and uncover a fraud. 
53 "Accidents Will Happen" Tom Cotter David G. McDonagh 2 May, 1996
Boyden and Page look into a protection racket. 
54 "Time Spent" Chris Lovett Chris Ould 3 May, 1996
Beech uncovers the relationship between a former boss and a local crime lord. Carver is caught between two troubled lovers. 
55 "Conspiracy of Silence" Peter Barber-Fleming Margaret Phelan 7 May, 1996
Deakin and Boulton investigate a fatal stabbing and uncover jealousy and deceit. 
56 "Cold Feet and Hot Coffee" Gwennan Sage Julian Perkins 9 May, 1996
Loxton and Page go undercover at a wedding to prevent a jilted lover spoiling the bride's big day. 
57 "Rollover" Libby Davison guest stars. Michael Simpson Nick Crittenden 10 May, 1996
Deakin comes down hard on a snout who tries to buck the system, and gets an unexpected result. 
58 "Tough Love" Martin Hutchings Katharine Way 14 May, 1996
Hollis and Garfield deal with an attack on a school bully. 
59 "With This Ring" Nick Laughland John Brennan 16 May, 1996
Keane comes across a suspect antiques dealer. Greig and Croft investigate a burglary and reopen a feud between two sisters. 
60 "Final Drive" Michael Ferguson Mark Holloway 17 May, 1996
Jarvis is on the Advanced Driving Course at Hendon. 
61 "Voices" Sian Thomas guest stars. Moira Armstrong Peter J. Hammond 21 May, 1996
Datta and Greig suspect that a woman who claims she can hear voices may hold the key to a series of sexual assaults. 
62 "Party On" Danny Hiller Mark Illis 23 May, 1996
Deakin and Croft have to deal with a gang of delinquents when one of them is bottled at an ecstasy party. 
63 "Hard Enough" Elizabeth Berrington guest stars. Dominic Lees Lyndon Mallett 24 May, 1996
Boulton and Carver try to decide whether a householder used reasonable force when he killed a burglar with a baseball bat. 
64 "Cuckoo" Honeysuckle Weeks and Campbell Morrison guest star. Danny Hiller Nicholas McInerny 28 May, 1996
Page and Monroe are dragged into a family squabble. 
65 "Helping Hands" Aidan J. David guest stars. Peter Duffell Clive Dawson 30 May, 1996
Datta and Garfield arrest a G.P. for possession of cannabis, but he claims it is for use by one of his patients. 
66 "Jekyll and Hyde" Matthew Crompton and Kevin Dyer guest stars. Danny Hiller Edwin Pearce 31 May, 1996
Brownlow witnesses a violent outburst on the road. 
67 "Knocking on the Door" First appearance of DS Geoff Daly John Bruce Steve Handley 4 June, 1996
New recruit Daly steps in to help Skase when a straightforward drugs bust goes wrong. 
68 "Lies and Statistics" James Hawes Elizabeth-Anne Wheal 6 June, 1996
Boyden tries to help a young offender. 
69 "Butting In" Barry Jackson and Lolita Chakrabarti guest stars. Michael Simpson Sebastian Secker Walker 7 June, 1996
Jarvis steps in to help Page deal with a violent attack, but there are complications. 
70 "The Bagman" Michael Cocker Richard McBrien 11 June, 1996
Deakin investigates a violent attack on a small-time crook whom he suspects to have fallen in with bad company. 
71 "Overstepping the Mark" John Bruce Michael Jenner 13 June, 1996
Lines tries to get a juvenile offender to inform on a gang of dangerous thugs, while Daly is troubled by a determined probation officer. 
72 "Filth" Jo Shoop Graham Mitchell 20 June, 1996
Deakin and Boulton investigate when a pimp is discovered badly beaten in a pile of rubbish. 
73 "Camper" Moira Armstrong Terry Hodgkinson 21 June, 1996
Slater and Boyden are involved in a drugs bust involving a camper van. 
74 "Spill" Lolita Chakrabarti and Bob Mason guest star. Hour-long episode 25 June, 1996
A tanker crashes, spilling a potentially lethal load near a housing estate. Monroe supervises the evacuation of the area. 
75 "Apron Strings" Adrian J. Fearnley Len Collin 27 June, 1996
Cryer and Keane discover a woman dead in her bath and suspect her son of foul play. 
76 "One Step Ahead" Ken Hutchison guest stars. Simon Massey Candy Denman 28 June, 1996
Meadows and Skase pursue an ex-convict who has sworn revenge on an informant. Boyden is called to help a prostitute who believes she is being followed. 
77 "Starting Young" Michael Ferguson Andrew Rattenbury 2 July, 1996
Jarvis and Keane deal with a boy in possession of a pensioner's prescription. 
78 "Tarts Cards" Simon Meyers Margaret Ousby 4 July, 1996
Boyden and Slater investigate a series of offensive telephone calls. 
79 "Born Again" Garry Cooper guest stars Robin Sheppard Simon Frith 5 July, 1996
Boulton investigates an assault on an old man. 
80 "Kick Me Hard" Audrey Cooke Gregory Evans 9 July, 1996
Daly mounts an operation to catch muggers. Page goes undercover as a pregnant woman to act as bait. 
81 "All or Nothing" Adrian J. Fearnley Philip Kingston 11 July, 1996
Quinnan and Keane discover the body of a young girl in a pub toilet. 
82 "Unlucky In Love" Anna Keaveney and Joanne Froggatt guest stars. Jo Shoop Jonathan Rich 12 July, 1996
Boyden investigates a dating agency that is rumoured to be providing underaged girls. 
83 "A Quick Return" Leon Black guest stars. Brian Parker Stephen McAteer 16 July, 1996
Cryer and Keane investigate a series of street robberies and find four teenagers trying to buy their way into drug-dealing. 
84 "Sartorial Elegance" Simon Massey Nigel Baldwin 18 July, 1996
Carver and Jarvis misjudge the condition of a witness, threatening Operation Eagle Eye. 
85 "Don't Leave Me This Way" Ian White Graham White 19 July, 1996
Loxton and Keane follow up a mugging but suspect that the victim knows more than she is letting on. 
86 "Big Bullies" Michael Simpson Ron Rose 23 July, 1996
Monroe investigates a schooboy's claim that he was assaulted by his teacher. 
87 "Playing It By The Rules" None stated Shiela Duncan 25 July, 1996
Deakin is handed the chance to bust a drug dealer when his wife turns informant. 
88 "True Colours" Brian Parker Elizabeth-Anne Wheal 26 July, 1996
Daly is determined to find out why a white teenager is trying to take the blame for his black friends. 
89 "Target" Feature length rebroadcast of the three-part story from episodes 114, 115 and 116 of Series 11. John Strickland Edward Canford-Dumas 29 July, 1996
A woman is shot dead by a sniper. C.I.D. try to find a motive for the shooting as Ackland gets sucked into a deadly cat-and-mouse game to try to draw the killer out. 
90 "Dead Man's Hand" Dominic Lees Simon Tyrrell 30 July, 1996
Beech investigates the claim of one compulsive gambler to have murdered another. 
91 "For Their Own Good" Final appearance of DC Alan Woods Peter Duffell Nigel Baldwin 1 August, 1996
Boulton uses an informant as the bait to catch a dangerous villain. 
92 "Theory and Practice" Peter Barber-Fleming Maxwell Young 6 August, 1996
Ackland and McCann take the sergeant's exam. Cryer deals with a woman who is miscarrying and claims that she was assaulted by Page. 
93 "Drinking Partners" 8 August, 1996
Greig and Skase investigate when a drunk man is found unconscious and badly injured at the bottom of a flight of stairs. 
94 "Lean On Me" Simon Meyers Barry Simner 9 August, 1996
Hollis gets ideas above his station when his lady friend wants to become his informant. 
95 "Reminders" Chris Lovett Michael Jenner 13 August, 1996
Daly and Carver pursue a missing prisoner who appears determined to restore his reputation as a hard man. 
96 "Minding" Nick Laughland Mark Holloway 15 August, 1996
Loxton and Keane arrest a woman for shoplifting. Grieg and Croft investigate a nanny believed to have kidnapped two of her charges. 
97 "Follow The Van" Robin Sheppard Stephen Plaice 16 August, 1996
Beech and Lines investigate a series of aggravated robberies on garage forecourts. 
98 "Don't Kill the Messenger" Jim Shields Isabelle Grey 20 August, 1996
Jarvis receives death threats from a youth who blames him for his father's death, and who cannot accept that his father was a sex offender. 
99 "Junior" Trevor Byfield guest stars. Jim Shields Julian Perkins 22 August, 1996
Beech employs a fifteen-year-old boy as an informer to expose a crooked car ring. 
100 "Pony Express" Simon Meyers David G. McDonagh 23 August, 1996
Deakin has to decide whether to trust a Nigerian drug smuggler who offers to help catch a local dealer. 
101 "Out of Control" Ian White Edwin Pearce 27 August, 1996
Jarvis deals with a young tearaway and tries to persuade the boy's father to take responsibility for his son's actions. 
102 "Day Tripper" Gill Wilkinson Chris Smyth 29 August, 1996
Greig hopes that a tip-off will help him to nail an old enemy but things don't go to plan. 
103 "Waiting For Frank" Robert Del Maestro Chris Ould 30 August, 1996
Deakin poses as a nervous punter waiting at the dog track to meet a mysterious man named Frank. 
104 "A Day in the Life" Kulvinder Ghir guest stars. Audrey Cooke Robert Jones 3 September, 1996
Keane is held hostage by a desperate armed robber. 
105 "Second Chances" Nick Laughland Manjit Singh 5 September, 1996
Deakin gets a vital lead on an unsolved murder, but his witness is an illegal immigrant who is about to be deported. 
106 "Repossession" Peter Lydon Lyndon Mallet 6 September, 1996
A petrol can, a lighter and a desperate man threatening to burn down a house. Can Conway talk him round? 
107 "The Liar" First appearance of DC Liz Rawton Michael Simpson Spenser Frearson 10 September, 1996
Rawton gets involved in a dispute between a drug addict and Croft, who is trying to find a witness who can testify that she was assaulted. 
108 "Detained" Scott Neal guest stars. 12 September, 1996
Garfield and McCann investigate a vicious mugging. 
109 "Karma" Brian Parker Edward Canford-Dumas 13 September, 1996
Deakin and Boulton are called into a women's prison to investigate claims by an officer that an inmate was pushed down a flight of stairs by the prison psychiatrist. 
110 "Stolen Moments" Audrey Cooke Julian Perkins 17 September, 1996
McCann and Slater arrest a woman for petty theft, and she claims to have killed a cyclist while driving two years before. 
111 "A Good Night Out" Hour-long episode Tom Cotter Richard Stoneman 18 September, 1996
The relief organise a pub-and-curry night to celebrate Acting Sgt. Ackland's success in the sergeant's exam, but McCann is not so eager to join in the celebrations. 
112 "Chatterbox" Desmond Askew guest stars. Ian White Simon Moss 19 September, 1996
Quinnan and a teenage burglary suspect are trapped in a broken lift in a housing estate. 
113 "Too Close For Comfort" 20 September, 1996
Page and Daly take opposing views in a case of alleged rape involving two cousins. 
114 "Blame" Chris Lovett Gwyneth Hughes 24 September, 1996
Garfield and Datta deal with a family that is torn apart when the mother commits suicide by overdose of sleeping tablets 
115 "Once a Thief" Robert Del Maestro Tony Mulholland 26 September, 1996
Beech gets a result when a barrister on his blacklist is robbed. 
116 "Party Animals" Moira Armstrong Katharine Way 27 September, 1996
Quinnan and Datta are called to a stag party where the strippergram accuses the guests of trying to gang-rape her. 
117 "Natural Causes" Colin Buchanan guest stars. Morag Fullarton Simon Tyrrell 1 October, 1996
Slater and Ackland try to establish whether a pensioner who died on confronting a thief was murdered or died of natural causes. 
118 "Known To Someone" Derek Lister Joanne Maguire 3 October, 1996
Daly and Croft obtain information from a conflicted young man who suspects his brother of a series of violent attacks on women. 
119 "Champing at the Bit" Diana Patrick Robert Jones 4 October, 1996
Jarvis and McCann attend the scene of an accident involving a woman driving a horsebox, who tests positive in a breath test. Deakin is after a violent attacker. 
120 "Taking Out the Rubbish" Ken Horn A. Valentine 8 October, 1996
Carver and Greig investigate a burglary but the residents on the estate are too scared to give evidence. Monroe determines to clear out all the known trouble-makers. 
121 "Presumed Innocent" Harry Bradbeer Elizabeth-Anne Wheal 10 October, 1996
Cryer and Keane uncover the murky past of a teenage girl who has been killed in a road accident. 
122 "Change of Heart" Kathryn Allerston guest stars. Gill Wilkinson Graham Mitchell 11 October, 1996
Meadows and Rawton try to persuade the girlfriend of a rape suspect to help in his arrest. 
123 "Hedging Your Bets" Peter Jeffrey guest stars Roger Gartland Candy Denman 15 October, 1996
Tensions arise between Deakin and Beech after a bookie is robbed. 
124 "Out of the Past" Robin Sheppard Tony Lindsay 17 October, 1996
Meadows has to decide where his loyalties lie when an old friend is accused of murder. 
125 "Road to Recovery" Jo Shoop Len Collin 18 October, 1996
Hollis is concerned about a patient who has recently been discharged from psychiatric care, and clashes with social services. 
126 "Three Fools" Moira Armstrong Mark Illis 22 October, 1996
Greig and Skase investigate when three small-time villains are beaten up over their involvement in a counterfeit money-laundering operation. 
127 "Track Marks" Harry Bradbeer James Stevenson 24 October, 1996
Carver disapproves of Boulton's ruthless handling of an informant. 
128 "In for the Kill" Derek Lister Tom Needham 25 October, 1996
Meadows and Croft interview a young waiter accused of trying to kill his boss. 
129 "Remote Control" Steve Shill Julian Spilsbury 29 October, 1996
Daly and Lines investigate a series of muggings at knifepoint. 
130 "Telling Tales" Jo Shoop Renny Krupinski 31 October, 1996
Quinnan tries to persuade an assault victim to testify against her former boyfriend. Boulton and Skase are led on a wild goose chase. 
131 "Old Codgers" Martin Hutchings Chris Ould 1 November, 1996
Quinnan and Greig reluctantly agree to follow up on information received from a former Sun Hill sergeant who claims to know the whereabouts of the man who murdered a girl during World War II. 
132 "Trap" Christopher Hodson Michael Jenner 5 November, 1996
Slater gets into trouble after following up on a tip-off about a till snatch. 
133 "All in the Mind" Diana Patrick Edwin Pearce 7 November, 1996
Monroe and Ackland suspect that a series of apparently unrelated incidents across Sun Hill may be linked to the release of a psychiatric patient trying to find her children. 
134 "Trust Me" Roger Gartland Isabelle Grey 8 November, 1996
Carver and Rawton follow up an irregularity on an insurance claim submitted by a decorator and uncover a double life. 
135 "Nice Boy" Nadim Sawalha guest stars. 12 November, 1996
Croft and Boulton disagree on how to question a teenager who might be able to lead them to a violent gang. 
136 "A Woman's Place" James Hawes Simon Moss 14 November, 1996
Ackland introduces single-manning at Sun Hill, causing problems for Brownlow. 
137 "Finishing School" Michael Cocker Barry Simner 15 November, 1996
Slater and Keane reach the end of their probationary periods and face a final assessment. 
138 "Death of a Nobody" Peter Guinness, Philip McGough and Iain Stuart Robertson guest star. Hour-long episode Simon Meyers Tom Needham 19 November, 1996
Meadows and Deakin investigate the murder of a taxi driver. The action bears the hallmarks of a gangland execution, but why would anyone want to kill a complete nobody? 
139 "Up the Wall" Steve Shill Lyndon Mallett 21 November, 1996
Hollis learns an important lesson in community policing when some friendly advice that he gives a resident on noise pollution backfires. 
140 "Boiling Point" Kenneth Colley guest stars. Christopher Hodson Neil Clarke 22 November, 1996
Loxton is investigated by the Complaints Investigation Bureau over an accusation that he assaulted a suspected burglar, although he claims to have been acting in self-defence. 
141 "Mirror Image" John Bruce Katharine Way 26 November, 1996
Boulton arrests a woman for drug dealing, but Rawton suspects that she may be a victim of mistaken identity. 
142 "Public Relations" Brian Parker Philip Kingston 28 November, 1996
Skase and Hollis demonstrate two differing approaches to police work when a young journalist writing about policing spends a day at Sun Hill. 
143 "Lock 'em In" Roger Gartland Sebastian Secker Walker 29 November, 1996
Cryer and Page assist the distraught wife of a prisoner who reports her son missing and who fears that her husband is out to get her. 
144 "Opportunity Costs" Caroline Trowbridge guest stars. Martin Hutchings Edward Canford-Dumas 3 December, 1996
Brownlow orders Meadows and Conway to review their budgets, but Meadows decides to investigate the unsolved murder of a prostitute instead. 
145 "Paying For It" Jane Prowse Mark Holloway 5 December, 1996
Beech and Rawton investigate the apparent assault of a father by his son and uncover a family secret. 
146 "Many Happy Returns" Adrian J. Fearnley Andrew Rattenbury 6 December, 1996
Boulton and Skase take part in a joint exercise with Customs and Excise to crack a fencing operation. Meadows is concerned that Sun Hill might end up footing the bill but not getting a result. 
147 "Black Money" Roger Gartland Terry Hodgkinson 10 December, 1996
Croft and Rawton investigate some shady Romanian businessmen and a suitcase full of black paper. 
148 "Scorned" Morag Fullarton Tracey Black 12 December, 1996
Croft and Rawton investigate a dentist accused of indecent assault by one of his patients. 
149 "Stolen Kisses" Samantha Seager and Jo Martin guest star. Michael Cocker Manjit Singh 13 December, 1996
Monroe and Datta deal with a difficult situation when a nursery school cleaner takes a young girl hostage, and uncover a tragic family secret. 
150 "Jumping to Conclusions" Lesley Duff guest stars. Harry Bradbeer Philip Kingston 17 December, 1996
Carver's patience is tested by a compulsive liar. Ackland and Quinnan search for a girl allegedly abducted by a religious cult. 
151 "Toe the Line" Michael Attwell and Michelle Gomez guest star. James Hawes Stephen Plaice 19 December, 1996
Monroe and Conway uncover a bogus wheel-clamping operation. 
152 "A Gun to the Head" Chris Lovett Maxwell Young 20 December, 1996
Beech and Daly are put in an impossible situation when a judge decides to reveal the name of their informant. 
153 "Merrily On High" Danny Dyer guest stars. New opening sequence introduced. Michael Cocker Robert Jones 24 December, 1996
Assistant Commissioner Hicks has declared Sun Hill Police Station an alcohol-free zone – terrible news for Brownlow and Conway who had hoped to enjoy a "liquid lunch" when taking him to a posh French restaurant. Stamp and Slater arrest an elderly man after a road rage incident, but manage to reunite him with his estranged family. 
154 "Hers" Tamzin Outhwaite guest stars. Michael Cocker Mark Holloway 26 December, 1996
Stamp and Page look into the theft of a hearse containing the coffin of a thief who died in a traffic accident. 
155 "Hat Trick" John Bruce Stephen Greenhorn 27 December, 1996
Boulton and Skase investigate a car-ramming incident involving a member of a local pub team. 
156 "The Right Thing" Paul Bettany guest stars. First appearance of PC Jamila Blake 31 December, 1996
Cryer investigates when a player in the same basketball team as the son of a former Sun Hill officer collapses from a drug overdose. 
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