Stafford returns from suspension and is immediately called upon to deal with a series of bomb threats by animal rights activists.

A hitchhiker is kidnapped, and Stafford has to deal with an ensuing siege. Stewart contends with vigilante security guards working on a private estate.

Stafford continues to deal with the siege at the hospital. A female officer resigns from the force, citing sexual harassment. Stewart's husband, Martin, walks out on her.

Stafford considers whether to allow the screening of a controversial documentary about BSE. Stewart gets into hot water.

Two youths throw bricks from a walkway bridge and hit a police car, killing an officer. Stafford deals with the subsequent unrest on a housing estate.

A child playing on a beach is poisoned by spillage from an oil tanker. Stafford is ordered to evict a group of environmental protesters from a ship carrying toxic waste.