The twelfth series of The Bill, a British television drama, consisted of 156 episodes, broadcast between 2 January and 31 December 1996. On 6 February 2013, The Bill Series 12 Part 1 & 2 and The Bill Series 12 Part 3 & 4 DVD sets were released (in Australia). The show aired the death of PC Cathy Marshall early in the series, actress Lynne Miller departing after seven years in a mysterious plot that saw her drown whilst chasing a suspect, but it was never confirmed if she was pushed or slipped off a riverside barge during the pursuit. The death followed that of DS Jo Morgan in a four-part special towards the end of the previous series, with the first three of the four episodes rebroadcast in the summer as part of a single special episode, Target.

The Bill
Series 12
No. of episodes156
Release
Original networkITV
Original release2 January (1996-01-02) –
31 December 1996 (1996-12-31)
Series chronology
← Previous
Series 11
Next →
Series 13
List of episodes

There was also an exit for PC Donna Harris, as the role of collator was replaced by a computerised system. Two other characters departed, with Robert Perkins leaving his role as Sergeant Ray Steele after almost three years, with WPC June Ackland taking the role of Sergeant after six months as an Acting Sergeant. Tom Cotcher also left the role of DC Alan Woods, being replaced by WDC Liz Rawton, with actress Libby Davison joining the show permanently just four months after making a guest appearance as Briony Richards. Rawton's arrival to CID was preceded by that of DS Geoff Daly, portrayed by Ray Ashcroft, in June. WPC Jamila Blake arrived at the end of the year to replace WPC Marshall, Lolita Chakrabarti taking on the role after two guest appearances earlier in the series as Dr. Sally Vole.

Cast changes

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Episodes

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# Title Episode notes Directed by Written by Original air date
1"Call Waiting"
Susannah Wise guest starsJohn BruceSimon Moss2 January 1996 (1996-01-02)
Skase and Croft investigate a series of hoax phone calls that are tearing a family apart.
2"Second Sense"
Cheryl Hall guest starsDiana PatrickPeter Gibbs4 January 1996 (1996-01-04)
Loxton and Slater deal with a woman drink-driver.
3"Runners Up"
Tracey Childs guest starsNick LaughlandRobert Jones5 January 1996 (1996-01-05)
Meadows offers a bottle of scotch as a reward for catching an elusive burglar.
4"Keeping It in the Family"
Nicholas Pinnock and Lloyd McGuire guest starFrank W. SmithTony Lindsay9 January 1996 (1996-01-09)
Lines and Skase try to avert an ice-cream war in Sun Hill after a vendor is assaulted.
5"Home Truths"
Danny Dyer guest starsJune HowsonKatharine Way11 January 1996 (1996-01-11)
Ackland and Jarvis follow up a vicious assault.
6"Outer"
Rhona Mitra guest starsNick LaughlandJ. C. Wilsher12 January 1996 (1996-01-12)
Boulton is determined to arrest a local drug dealer, at any cost.
7"Better Half"
Nigel Humphreys guest starsCatherine MorsheadJonathan David16 January 1996 (1996-01-16)
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"
Neil Stuke guest starsRobin SheppardRichard Stoneman18 January 1996 (1996-01-18)
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"
Hour-long special, final appearance of WPC Cathy Marshall; Tina Hobley, Nicholas Ball and Clive Carter guest starMartin HutchingsJulian Spilsbury19 January 1996 (1996-01-19)
What begins as a routine night for the officers at Sun Hill ends in personal tragedy.
10"Old Dogs, New Tricks"
TBAFrank W. SmithJonathan Myerson23 January 1996 (1996-01-23)
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 1"
Clare Holman guest starsRobin ShepperdRichard Stoneman25 January 1996 (1996-01-25)
While Deakin investigates the kidnapping of a five-year-old boy, Conway gets some unsettling news.
12"One Night With You: Part 2"
TBADerek ListerChris Ould26 January 1996 (1996-01-26)
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"
Richard Beale guest starsJohn BruceRenny Krupinski30 January 1996 (1996-01-30)
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"
TBACorin Campbell HillAvril E. Russell1 February 1996 (1996-02-01)
Slater and Garfield struggle to keep the peace when two women fall out over the same man.
15"Happy Birthday"
TBASarah HardingTom Needham2 February 1996 (1996-02-02)
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 and Ayesha Antoine guest starSarah HardingMargaret Ousby6 February 1996 (1996-02-06)
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"
TBACorin Campbell HillDavid G. McDonagh8 February 1996 (1996-02-08)
A reconstruction brings forward an unexpected witness to an assault on a 15-year-old boy.
18"Back in Business"
Ch. Supt. Charles Brownlow returns from Area, A/Supt. Derek Conway returns to Ch. Insp.Laurence MoodyPeter Gibbs9 February 1996 (1996-02-09)
Acting Superintendent Conway is stirred into action by a face from the past.
19"Separate Rooms"
Camilla Power and Ewen Bremner guest starJan SargentNick Crittenden13 February 1996 (1996-02-13)
Lines investigates an allegation of underage sex.
20"Going Guilty"
TBAJames HawesMark Holloway15 February 1996 (1996-02-15)
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"
TBADerek ListerMaxwell Young16 February 1996 (1996-02-16)
Beech is caught in the crossfire when uniform and C.I.D. fall out over a directive from Brownlow.
22"Somebody's Home"
TBAJan SargentSimon Tyrrell20 February 1996 (1996-02-20)
Quinnan and Keane have to help someone with a conviction for assaulting a police officer.
23"Pointing the Finger"
Ron Donachie guest starsSimon MeyersEdwin Pearce22 February 1996 (1996-02-22)
Carver and Skase investigate an assault on an Asian schoolboy.
24"Boy Meets Girl"
Lloyd Owen guest starsJames HawesSimon Moss23 February 1996 (1996-02-23)
Croft investigates a series of vicious sexual assaults.
25"Confession"
Hour-long episode, final appearance of PC Donna Harris, guest appearance of DS Danny Pearce; David Westhead guest starsDavid RichardsTerry Hodgkinson27 February 1996 (1996-02-27)
Meadows and Carver have to look again at a man cleared of murder.
26"Home From Home"
TBAJune HowsonStephen McAteer29 February 1996 (1996-02-29)
Stamp and Slater are called to supervise the eviction of a father from his home.
27"Open Wound"
TBAJohn BruceTom Needham1 March 1996 (1996-03-01)
Skase and Deakin deal with a wounded crack dealer shot in the yard of a pub.
28"Perfect Match"
TBALaurence MoodyCarolyn Sally Jones5 March 1996 (1996-03-05)
Beech and Croft try to track down a violent attacker.
29"Someone Special"
Bruce Alexander guest starsGwennan SageCarolyn Sally Jones7 March 1996 (1996-03-07)
Lines and Skase investigate a possible arson attack on a nightclub.
30"Bits and Pieces"
Lucy Benjamin and Peter Benson guest starSimon MeyersTerry Hodgkinson8 March 1996 (1996-03-08)
Boyden and Slater search for the owner of a severed hand found on a rubbish tip.
31"Home Help"
Angela Bruce guest starsMichael SimpsonPeter Mills12 March 1996 (1996-03-12)
Cryer and Slater handle a tricky case involving a disabled former police officer and his wayward son.
32"Kicked Out"
TBAMichael FergusonStephen C. Handley14 March 1996 (1996-03-14)
Jarvis and Page are called in to help in the deportation of an illegal immigrant who escapes from custody.
33"On the Block"
Kenneth Watson guest starsMichael FergusonJ. C. Wilsher15 March 1996 (1996-03-15)
Boulton loses a suspect during an arrest and has to ask Monroe to help get him back.
34"Getting Off"
TBAMichael CockerGraham Mitchell19 March 1996 (1996-03-19)
Boulton investigates a convicted drug addict and clashes with a drugs worker.
35"Girls' Night"
TBAGill WilkinsonGwyneth Hughes21 March 1996 (1996-03-21)
Loxton and Page deal with a bridegroom who disrupts a hen night.
36"Blood Brothers"
Roshan Seth guest starsJeremy SilberstonManjit Singh22 March 1996 (1996-03-22)
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"
WPC June Ackland is promoted to Acting Sergeant (off screen)Robert Del MaestroGregory Evans23 March 1996 (1996-03-23)
Loxton and Keane chase a local tearaway, who gets injured. Conway has to deal with the resulting accusations of police harassment.
38"A Hornet's Nest"
Melanie Kilburn guest starsRobert Del MaestroCandy Denman28 March 1996 (1996-03-28)
Greig is accused with police brutality following a raid on a burglar's home.
39"Dead of Night"
First appearance of June Ackland as A/Sgt; Rosie Cavaliero guest starsIan WhiteJulian Jones29 March 1996 (1996-03-29)
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 starsJames HawesIsabelle Grey2 April 1996 (1996-04-02)
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"
TBAJeremy SilberstonDavid Hoskins4 April 1996 (1996-04-04)
Keane has a bad day in court, while Monroe follows up on a domestic incident.
42"Beating the Odds"
Jamie Glover and Amelia Curtis guest starIan WhiteEdwin Pearce5 April 1996 (1996-04-05)
Boulton investigates a notorious local bookie and prompts suspicions about Beech's private life.
43"Animal"
Ian Reddington and Sheree Murphy guest starKate CheesemanTom Needham9 April 1996 (1996-04-09)
Boyden and Datta try to secure a conviction against a vicious pimp.
44"Dangerous Game"
Hour-long episode, final appearance of Sgt. Ray Steele; Tracey Wilkinson guest starsBrian ParkerElizabeth-Anne Wheal10 April 1996 (1996-04-10)
Boulton, Carver and Deakin take part in a Flying Squad operation against a vicious gang of armed robbers.
45"Dancers"
Tenniel Evans guest starsNick LaughlandMark Holloway12 April 1996 (1996-04-12)
Brownlow organises a tea dance for the Metropolitan Police Pensioners' and Widows' Society.
46"And Nothing But"
TBAMichael SimpsonRichard Stoneman16 April 1996 (1996-04-16)
Loxton arrests a black man he suspects is responsible for a mugging and is accused of racism.
47"Tale of Two Cities"
Petra Markham guest starsTom CotterSpenser Frearson18 April 1996 (1996-04-18)
Greig is in pursuit of a local drug dealer. Two teenagers arrested for possession refuse to provide any information about their supplier.
48"Cheating"
Leslie Phillips and Carol Royle guest starKate CheesemanSpenser Frearson19 April 1996 (1996-04-19)
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"
Clare Cathcart and Trevor Cooper guest starGill WilkinsonJonathan Myerson23 April 1996 (1996-04-23)
Loxton and Quinnan investigate an employment agency that provides lucrative opportunities to women with financial troubles.
50"Going For a Song"
Guest appearance of now-DS Mike DashwoodMartin HutchingsJulian Spilsbury25 April 1996 (1996-04-25)
Carver calls on a former colleague to help with an antique clock that is a target for theft.
51"Value Added"
Malcolm Terris and Geff Francis guest starsSimon MeyersBarry Simner26 April 1996 (1996-04-26)
Hollis goes undercover in the seedy world of vice in pursuit of the unscrupulous owner of a clip joint.
52"Professional Ethics"
John Bowler guest starsChris LovettDavid Hoskins30 April 1996 (1996-04-30)
Greig and Lines investigate graffiti attacks on motor vehicles and uncover a fraud.
53"Accidents Will Happen"
Paul Ritter guest starsTom CotterDavid G. McDonagh2 May 1996 (1996-05-02)
Boyden and Page look into a protection racket.
54"Time Spent"
TBAChris LovettChris Ould3 May 1996 (1996-05-03)
Beech uncovers the relationship between a former boss and a local crime lord. Carver is caught between two troubled lovers.
55"Conspiracy of Silence"
Ann Davies guest starsPeter Barber-FlemingMargaret Phelan7 May 1996 (1996-05-07)
Deakin and Boulton investigate a fatal stabbing and uncover jealousy and deceit.
56"Cold Feet and Hot Coffee"
Jason Done and Stephen Churchett guest starGwennan SageJulian Perkins9 May 1996 (1996-05-09)
Loxton and Page go undercover at a wedding to prevent a jilted lover spoiling the bride's big day.
57"Rollover"
Libby Davison and Philip Wright guest starMichael SimpsonNick Crittenden10 May 1996 (1996-05-10)
Deakin comes down hard on a snout who tries to buck the system, and gets an unexpected result.
58"Tough Love"
John Michie guest starsMartin HutchingsKatharine Way14 May 1996 (1996-05-14)
Hollis and Garfield deal with an attack on a school bully.
59"With This Ring"
Roger Avon and Rowena Cooper guest starNick LaughlandJohn Brennan16 May 1996 (1996-05-16)
Keane comes across a suspect antiques dealer. Greig and Croft investigate a burglary and reopen a feud between two sisters.
60"Final Drive"
Thomas Craig and Sukie Smith guest starMichael FergusonMark Holloway17 May 1996 (1996-05-17)
Jarvis is on the Advanced Driving Course at Hendon.
61"Voices"
Sian Thomas and David Quilter guest starMoira ArmstrongPeter J. Hammond21 May 1996 (1996-05-21)
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"
TBADanny HillerMark Illis23 May 1996 (1996-05-23)
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 and Adrian Rawlins guest starDominic LeesLyndon Mallett24 May 1996 (1996-05-24)
Boulton and Carver clash when a householder is arrested for murdering a burglar with a baseball bat. Boulton thinks it is justified to kill an intruder, but Carver does not; will it impede their investigation?
64"Cuckoo"
Honeysuckle Weeks, Olivia Hallinan and Campbell Morrison guest starDanny HillerNicholas McInerny28 May 1996 (1996-05-28)
Page and Monroe are dragged into a family squabble.
65"Helping Hands"
Aidan J. David guest starsPeter DuffellClive Dawson30 May 1996 (1996-05-30)
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 guest starsDanny HillerEdwin Pearce31 May 1996 (1996-05-31)
Brownlow witnesses a violent outburst on the road.
67"Knocking on the Door"
First appearance of DS Geoff DalyJohn BruceSteve Handley4 June 1996 (1996-06-04)
New DS Geoff Daly steps in to help Skase when a straightforward drugs bust goes wrong.
68"Lies and Statistics"
Sean Gilder and David Quilter guest starJames HawesElizabeth-Anne Wheal6 June 1996 (1996-06-06)
Boyden tries to help a young offender.
69"Butting In"
Barry Jackson, David Quilter and Lolita Chakrabarti guest starMichael SimpsonSebastian Secker Walker7 June 1996 (1996-06-07)
Jarvis steps in to help Page deal with a violent attack, but there are complications.
70"The Bagman"
TBAMichael CockerRichard McBrien11 June 1996 (1996-06-11)
Deakin investigates a violent attack on a small-time crook whom he suspects to have fallen in with bad company.
71"Overstepping the Mark"
Kris Marshall and David Quilter guest starJohn BruceMichael Jenner13 June 1996 (1996-06-13)
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"
TBAJo ShoopGraham Mitchell20 June 1996 (1996-06-20)
Deakin and Boulton investigate when a pimp is discovered badly beaten in a pile of rubbish.
73"Camper"
Timothy Bateson and Avril Elgar guest starMoira ArmstrongTerry Hodgkinson21 June 1996 (1996-06-21)
Slater and Boyden are involved in a drugs bust involving a camper van.
74"Spill"
Hour-long episode; Lolita Chakrabarti and Bob Mason guest starJohn StricklandMichael Jenner25 June 1996 (1996-06-25)
A tanker crashes, spilling a potentially lethal load near a housing estate. Monroe supervises the evacuation of the area.
75"Apron Strings"
Denyse Alexander guest starsAdrian J. FearnleyLen Collin27 June 1996 (1996-06-27)
Cryer and Keane discover a woman dead in her bath and suspect her son of foul play.
76"One Step Ahead"
Ken Hutchison and Roy Skelton guest starSimon MasseyCandy Denman28 June 1996 (1996-06-28)
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"
TBAMichael FergusonAndrew Rattenbury2 July 1996 (1996-07-02)
Jarvis and Keane deal with a boy in possession of a pensioner's prescription.
78"Tart's Cards"
Annie Hulley guest starsSimon MeyersMargaret Ousby4 July 1996 (1996-07-04)
Boyden and Slater investigate a series of offensive telephone calls.
79"Born Again"
Alexandra Gilbreath and Chris Tranchell guest starsRobin SheppardSimon Frith5 July 1996 (1996-07-05)
Boulton investigates an assault on an old man.
80"Kick Me Hard"
TBAAudrey CookeGregory Evans9 July 1996 (1996-07-09)
Daly mounts an operation to catch muggers. Page goes undercover as a pregnant woman to act as bait.
81"All or Nothing"
TBAAdrian J. FearnleyPhilip Kingston11 July 1996 (1996-07-11)
Quinnan and Keane discover the body of a young girl in a pub toilet. Meanwhile, Monroe and Stamp both have words with Slater about his extensive overtime.
82"Unlucky in Love"
Anna Keaveney and Joanne Froggatt guest starJo ShoopJonathan Rich12 July 1996 (1996-07-12)
Boyden investigates a dating agency that is rumoured to be providing underage girls.
83"A Quick Return"
TBABrian ParkerStephen McAteer16 July 1996 (1996-07-16)
Cryer and Keane investigate a series of street robberies and find four teenagers trying to buy their way into drug-dealing.
84"Sartorial Elegance"
Joseph Kpobie guest starsSimon MasseyNigel Baldwin18 July 1996 (1996-07-18)
Carver and Jarvis misjudge the condition of a witness, threatening Operation Eagle Eye.
85"Don't Leave Me This Way"
Albert Welling and Margo Gunn guest starIan WhiteGraham White19 July 1996 (1996-07-19)
Loxton and Keane follow up a mugging but suspect that the victim knows more than she is letting on.
86"Big Bullies"
Jim McManus guest starsMichael SimpsonRon Rose23 July 1996 (1996-07-23)
Monroe investigates a schoolboy's claim that he was assaulted by his teacher.
87"Playing It by the Rules"
TBAChris LovettSheila Duncan25 July 1996 (1996-07-25)
Deakin is handed the chance to bust a drug dealer when his wife turns informant.
88"True Colours"
TBABrian ParkerElizabeth-Anne Wheal26 July 1996 (1996-07-26)
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 episodes "Fire", "All Tucked Up" and "Bait" from Series 11John StricklandEdward Canford-Dumas29 July 1996 (1996-07-29)
While speaking to Ackland and Loxton about the problem of local dog mess, a woman is shot dead by a sniper. Meadows and his CID team are tasked to investigate, and suspect that the woman was not the intended target, and it is strongly possible the sniper was after Loxton, who is set to testify in court against an attempted murderer that afternoon. However, when Ackland's house is set alight that night, CID come to the conclusion that she is the intended target. Writing up a list of possible suspects, Ackland gets sucked into a deadly cat-and-mouse game to try to draw the killer out - resulting in the death of one of Sun Hill's best officers.
90"Dead Man's Hand"
Jamie Foreman guest starsDominic LeesSimon Tyrrell30 July 1996 (1996-07-30)
Beech investigates the claim of one compulsive gambler to have murdered another.
91"For Their Own Good"
Final appearance of DC Alan Woods; Lynn Farleigh and Billy McColl guest starPeter DuffellNigel Baldwin1 August 1996 (1996-08-01)
Boulton uses an informant as the bait to catch a dangerous villain.
92"Theory and Practice"
Kacey Ainsworth guest starsPeter Barber-FlemingMaxwell Young6 August 1996 (1996-08-06)
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"
Tony Marshall guest starsPeter LydonMatthew Wingett8 August 1996 (1996-08-08)
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"
Madeleine Howard guest starsSimon MeyersBarry Simner9 August 1996 (1996-08-09)
Hollis gets ideas above his station when Barbara, a local tom with whom he has become friendly, tries to become his informant. Although Barbara claims that known fraudster David Gough is back out on the patch, Hollis struggles to convince Deakin and Meadows.
95"Reminders"
Vas Blackwood, Laurie Brett and Ricci Harnett guest starChris LovettMichael Jenner13 August 1996 (1996-08-13)
Hours after his release from prison, Dael Abbott is hauled back into custody by Daly and Carver following a stabbing. Daly pressures Emma Gilmore, the girlfriend of Abbott's associate, Michael Ceely, into giving evidence.
96"Minding"
Charlotte Barker guest starsNick LaughlandMark Holloway15 August 1996 (1996-08-15)
Loxton and Keane arrest a woman for shoplifting, and later bail her from custody when she openly admits to the charge. But when she is discovered to have given a false identity, Greig and Croft link the incident to a nanny believed to have kidnapped two of her charges.
97"Follow the Van"
Donald Douglas guest starsRobin SheppardStephen Plaice16 August 1996 (1996-08-16)
A robbery on a garage forecourt leads Beech and Lines to the door of convicted robber Ricky Baines, but Baines' innocence is seemingly confirmed when a second robbery takes place whilst he is being interviewed - but Beech remains determined not to let him off the hook.
98"Don't Kill the Messenger"
TBAJim ShieldsIsabelle Grey20 August 1996 (1996-08-20)
Jarvis and Cryer attend the coroner's hearing following a death in custody, but when both are exonerated and cleared of any wrongdoing, the victim's son sends Jarvis a death threat and slashes his tyres after refusing to believe that his father was a sex offender.
99"Junior"
Trevor Byfield and Elizabeth McKechnie guest starJim ShieldsJulian Perkins22 August 1996 (1996-08-22)
When fifteen-year-old Mickey Hoyle is arresting for joyriding, Beech employs him as a snout to expose a crooked car ring run by the Hislop brothers, Wayne and Paul. DS Frank Thomas from Scotland Yard assists Beech and a less than impressed Lines with the investigation.
100"Pony Express"
Andy Linden and Ade Sapara guest starSimon MeyersDavid G. McDonagh23 August 1996 (1996-08-23)
Deakin has to decide whether to trust a Nigerian drug smuggler who offers to help catch a local dealer.
101"Out of Control"
David Hargreaves and Lucy Speed guest starIan WhiteEdwin Pearce27 August 1996 (1996-08-27)
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"
TBAGill WilkinsonChris Smyth29 August 1996 (1996-08-29)
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"
Jonathan Phillips guest starsRobert Del MaestroChris Ould30 August 1996 (1996-08-30)
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, Jack Deam and Maxine Evans guest starAudrey CookeRobert Jones3 September 1996 (1996-09-03)
Keane is held hostage by a desperate armed robber.
105"Second Chances"
Paul Bhattacharjee guest starsNick LaughlandManjit Singh5 September 1996 (1996-09-05)
Deakin gets a vital lead on an unsolved murder, but his witness is an illegal immigrant who is about to be deported.
106"Repossession"
Gerry Cowper, Jan Pearson and Lorcan Cranitch guest starPeter LydonLyndon Mallet6 September 1996 (1996-09-06)
A petrol can, a lighter and a desperate man threatening to burn down a house. Can Conway talk him round?
107"Liar"
First appearance of DC Liz Rawton; Elizabeth Bennett guest starsMichael SimpsonSpenser Frearson10 September 1996 (1996-09-10)
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 and Sara Stockbridge guest starKen HornJimmy Gardner12 September 1996 (1996-09-12)
Garfield and McCann investigate a vicious mugging.
109"Karma"
Jim Norton guest starsBrian ParkerEdward Canford-Dumas13 September 1996 (1996-09-13)
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"
Judy Flynn guest starsAudrey CookeJulian Perkins17 September 1996 (1996-09-17)
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, A/Sgt June Ackland becomes full-time Sgt.; Martin Glyn Murray and Oliver Smith guest starTom CotterRichard Stoneman18 September 1996 (1996-09-18)
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"
Adrian Bower and Desmond Askew guest starIan WhiteSimon Moss19 September 1996 (1996-09-19)
Quinnan and a teenage burglary suspect are trapped in a broken lift in a housing estate.
113"Too Close For Comfort"
Steve John Shepherd and Lorraine Ashbourne guest starRobin SheppardMaxwell Young20 September 1996 (1996-09-20)
Page and Daly take opposing views in a case of alleged rape involving two cousins.
114"Blame"
Gerry Cowper guest starsChris LovettGwyneth Hughes24 September 1996 (1996-09-24)
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"
TBARobert Del MaestroTony Mulholland26 September 1996 (1996-09-26)
Beech gets a result when a barrister on his blacklist is robbed.
116"Party Animals"
Jake Wood guest starsMoira ArmstrongKatharine Way27 September 1996 (1996-09-27)
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 starsMorag FullartonSimon Tyrrell1 October 1996 (1996-10-01)
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"
JoAnne Good, Luisa Bradshaw-White and Gerry Cowper guest starDerek ListerJoanne Maguire3 October 1996 (1996-10-03)
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"
Hermione Gulliford guest starsDiana PatrickRobert Jones4 October 1996 (1996-10-04)
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"
Joel Beckett guest starsKen HornA. Valentine8 October 1996 (1996-10-08)
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 troublemakers.
121"Presumed Innocent"
Michael McKell and Roger Blake guest starHarry BradbeerElizabeth-Anne Wheal10 October 1996 (1996-10-10)
Cryer and Keane uncover the murky past of a teenage girl who has been killed in a road accident.
122"Change of Heart"
TBAGill WilkinsonGraham Mitchell11 October 1996 (1996-10-11)
Meadows and Rawton try to persuade the girlfriend of a rape suspect to help in his arrest.
123"Hedging Your Bets"
Peter Jeffrey, Hilary Mason and Barbara Young guest starRoger GartlandCandy Denman15 October 1996 (1996-10-15)
Tensions arise between Deakin and Beech after a bookie is robbed.
124"Out of the Past"
Sam Callis guest starsRobin SheppardTony Lindsay17 October 1996 (1996-10-17)
Meadows has to decide where his loyalties lie when an old friend is accused of murder.
125"Road to Recovery"
TBAJo ShoopLen Collin18 October 1996 (1996-10-18)
Hollis is concerned about a patient who has recently been discharged from psychiatric care, and clashes with social services.
126"Three Fools"
Johanna Hargreaves guest starsMoira ArmstrongMark Illis22 October 1996 (1996-10-22)
Greig and Skase investigate when three small-time villains are beaten up over their involvement in a counterfeit money-laundering operation.
127"Track Marks"
TBAHarry BradbeerJames Stevenson24 October 1996 (1996-10-24)
Carver disapproves of Boulton's ruthless handling of an informant.
128"In for the Kill"
TBADerek ListerTom Needham25 October 1996 (1996-10-25)
Meadows and Croft interview a young waiter accused of trying to kill his boss.
129"Remote Control"
TBASteve ShillJulian Spilsbury29 October 1996 (1996-10-29)
Daly and Lines investigate a series of muggings at knifepoint.
130"Telling Tales"
Derek Newark and Malcolm Tierney guest starJo ShoopRenny Krupinski31 October 1996 (1996-10-31)
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"
Freddie Jones and Patrick Godfrey guest starMartin HutchingsChris Ould1 November 1996 (1996-11-01)
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"
TBAChristopher HodsonMichael Jenner5 November 1996 (1996-11-05)
Slater gets into trouble after following up on a tip-off about a till snatch.
133"All in the Mind"
Cathy Shipton guest starsDiana PatrickEdwin Pearce7 November 1996 (1996-11-07)
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"
Paul Greenwood and Catherine Cusack guest starRoger GartlandIsabelle Grey8 November 1996 (1996-11-08)
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 starsBrian ParkerScott Cherry12 November 1996 (1996-11-12)
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"
TBAJames HawesSimon Moss14 November 1996 (1996-11-14)
Ackland introduces single-manning at Sun Hill, causing problems for Brownlow.
137"Finishing School"
TBAMichael CockerBarry Simner15 November 1996 (1996-11-15)
Slater and Keane reach the end of their probationary periods and face a final assessment.
138"Death of a Nobody"
Hour-long episode; Peter Guinness and Philip McGough guest starSimon MeyersTom Needham19 November 1996 (1996-11-19)
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"
TBASteve ShillLyndon Mallett21 November 1996 (1996-11-21)
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 starsChristopher HodsonNeil Clarke22 November 1996 (1996-11-22)
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"
TBAJohn BruceKatharine Way26 November 1996 (1996-11-26)
Boulton arrests a woman for drug dealing, but Rawton suspects that she may be a victim of mistaken identity.
142"Public Relations"
TBABrian ParkerPhilip Kingston28 November 1996 (1996-11-28)
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"
Jeremy Bulloch guest starsRoger GartlandSebastian Secker Walker29 November 1996 (1996-11-29)
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"
TBAMartin HutchingsEdward Canford-Dumas3 December 1996 (1996-12-03)
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"
TBAJane ProwseMark Holloway5 December 1996 (1996-12-05)
Beech and Rawton investigate the apparent assault of a father by his son and uncover a family secret.
146"Many Happy Returns"
Paul Jerricho guest starsAdrian J. FearnleyAndrew Rattenbury6 December 1996 (1996-12-06)
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"
Dominic Guard and Danny Webb guest starRoger GartlandTerry Hodgkinson10 December 1996 (1996-12-10)
Croft and Rawton investigate some shady Romanian businessmen and a suitcase full of black paper.
148"Scorned"
Brian Protheroe, Jane Slavin and Geraldine Fitzgerald guest starMorag FullartonTracey Black12 December 1996 (1996-12-12)
Croft and Rawton investigate a dentist accused of indecent assault by one of his patients.
149"Stolen Kisses"
Samantha Seager and Jo Martin guest starMichael CockerManjit Singh13 December 1996 (1996-12-13)
Monroe, Datta and Loxton talk down a nursery cleaner when she holds a 3-year-old girl hostage, then investigate the woman's claims she is the girl's biological mother.
150"Jumping to Conclusions"
TBAHarry BradbeerPhilip Kingston17 December 1996 (1996-12-17)
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, Michelle Gomez, Joe Absolom and David Schofield guest starJames HawesStephen Plaice19 December 1996 (1996-12-19)
Monroe and Conway uncover a bogus wheel-clamping operation.
152"A Gun to the Head"
John Fraser and Rob Edwards guest starChris LovettMaxwell Young20 December 1996 (1996-12-20)
Beech and Daly are put in an impossible situation when a judge decides to reveal the name of their informant.
153"Merrily on High"
New opening sequence introduced; Danny Dyer and Frank Mills guest starMichael CockerRobert Jones24 December 1996 (1996-12-24)
It is almost Christmas, and 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 starsMichael CockerMark Holloway26 December 1996 (1996-12-26)
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"
Eric Mason guest starsJohn BruceStephen Greenhorn27 December 1996 (1996-12-27)
Boulton and Skase investigate a car-ramming incident involving a member of a local pub team.
156"The Right Thing"
First appearance of PC Jamila Blake; Paul Bettany and Ken Bones guest starNigel DouglasTony Mulholland31 December 1996 (1996-12-31)
New WPC Jamila Blake joins Sun Hill after three years away from the job. She pairs with Stamp, and they find an overdosed boy during a foot pursuit, and Cryer takes an interest when he discovers the victim is on the basketball same team as a former Sun Hill officer’s son.