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 becomes Head of Europol, but the position gives him plenty of free time, so the Home Office asks him to tackle corruption within the Metropolitan Police as Alan Cade arrives. Anne has a promotion board for DCC, while also dealing with a major firearms incident in Norfolk.

Stafford's corruption inquiry reaches a successful conclusion, and the officer who assisted him with the case is appointed as Eastland's new chief constable.

Cade allows an informant to orchestrate a drug deal while investigating a smuggling ring, only to find it led to his death.

Cade's life is jeopardised when a visiting Italian judge falls victim to an assassination attempt.

Tensions between the police and the Crown Prosecution Service mount following the acquittal of a child murderer.

A group of neo-Nazis plan to raid the home of a local councillor.

Cade is forced to defend his team when an undocumented immigrant dies during attempts to detain him.