An American gas rig is hijacked on Alan Cade's first day, but will his choice of negotiator pay off?

A hospital lab tech implicates a local councillor in illegal practices. When he believes his accusations are being ignored, he dramatically breaks through the cordons during a royal visit to a school concert.

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

When Cade is threatened with an investigation over the death of the informer, his team closes ranks. The Home Office, preferring to have a hold on its maverick chief constable, decides not to act.

Cade is the subject of public outrage after two terrorist bomb blasts, and, as if that were not enough, his girlfriend leaves him.

Impressed by her diligence, Cade agrees to employ pushy PR exec Alison Dell in an attempt to boost the force's image. However, they soon find that their working relationship spills over into their private lives.

Hilary Scott is attacked by anti-abortionists on her way to the clinic. Terrified by their campaign, she goes home to rethink her decision.

Cade causes controversy when he announces a radical plan to decriminalise certain drugs for an experimental trial.

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.