Episode guide
The Bill: Series 5
104 episodes · premiered Jan 3, 1989
The fifth series of The Bill, a British television drama, consisted of 104 episodes, broadcast between 3 January – 28 December 1989. The series was first released on DVD as part of the Collection 3 and Collection 4 DVD boxsets in Australia, made available on 8 August – 7 November 2007, respectively. The first four episodes of the series were later issued on DVD in the United Kingdom, under the title Volume 4, on 15 March 2010. The next thirteen episodes of series 5 were released on DVD in the UK, under the title Volume 5, on 11 July 2011, the next 48 episodes of Series five were released on DVD in the UK under the title Volume 6, on 15 October 2012 and the remaining episodes were released on DVD in the UK under the title Volume 7, on 2 September 2013.
- Episode 1: Getting It Right Jan 3, 1989 · 22m D.I. Burnside leads a raid on a hotel room to catch a man suspected of armed abduction, but due to Ramsey's duff info, they raid the wrong room. The man in the room threatens to make an…
- Episode 2: A Reflection Of Glory Jan 5, 1989 · 22m P.C. Ramsey is back in uniform and goes with P.C. Haynes to see about a shoplifter who claims she is innocent. While they are out the back, the shop is held up by armed robbers who shoot…
- Episode 3: One To One Jan 10, 1989 · 22m W.P.C. Ackland and P.C. Stamp arrive at a brothel, where they find Jo Whitney, the daughter of a prominent local councillor, soaked in paraffin and threatening to set herself and the…
- Episode 4: The Mugging And The Gypsies Jan 12, 1989 · 22m W.P.C. Ackland and P.C. Smith attend a local gypsy campsite where residents are complaining. A social worker has a Place Of Safety Order on one of the gypsy children, Theresa Beecher, who…
- Episode 5: The Chain Of Command Jan 17, 1989 · 22m Ch. Insp. Conway is late for a meeting with a Mr. Trevelyan from the Department of Trade and Industry, who wants police help in shutting down Radio Sun Hill, a pirate radio station. Conway…
- Episode 6: Life And Death Jan 19, 1989 · 22m P.C. Stamp and W.P.C. Brind arrest a man who is so drunk he can barely stand. Back at the station, the man collapses after a drug overdose, but not before implying that he's killed a…
- Episode 7: Hothead Jan 24, 1989 · 22m W.P.C. Brind and P.C. Melvin are on foot patrol, but are seperated. Brind ends up dealing with a workplace dispute by herself, but the ringleader, Nobby Briggs, smashes her radio and locks…
- Episode 8: Steamers Jan 26, 1989 · 22m D.S. Roach goes to the hospital to talk to a young man who was slashed in the face with a knife - the fifth is a series of ""steamer"" attacks, where knife-wielding youths have held up…
- Episode 9: Duty Elsewhere Jan 31, 1989 · 22m P.C. Haynes volunteers for ""duty elsewhere"", undercover as a driver for Neville Tubbs, leader of a Yardie gang in South London. A man has just been murdered and mutilated, and Rita, a…
- Episode 10: Saturday Blues Feb 2, 1989 · 22m A young woman is taken to hospital in a coma after a drug overdose - she is D.I. Burnside's god-daughter, Tracey. Burnside orders Tracey's boyfriend, nightclub manager Terry Palmer…
- Episode 11: N.F.A. Feb 7, 1989 · 22m W.P.C. Brind chases two bag snatchers, but they get away. She later spots one of them crossing the road and nicks him. The victim, Mrs Foster-Adams, is taken to the station to make a…
- Episode 12: The Price You Pay Feb 9, 1989 · 22m W.P.C. Martella visits a friend of hers, Alison Page, who has been badly beaten up. Alison is on the game, and her attacker was a client. D.S. Roach arrests the man, but he is a diplomat…
- Episode 13: The Key of the Door Feb 14, 1989 · 22m D.C. Dashwood investigates when a house which has recently been put on the market is burgled. He suspects that some prospective buyers are behind it, and gets a description of the couple…
- Episode 14: Cock-Up Feb 16, 1989 · 22m P.C. Hollis is referee for a five-a-side football match between two schools organised by the Met. One of the players is Sgt. Cryer's son Danny, and Cryer breaks up a fight in the locker…
- Episode 15: Repercussions Feb 21, 1989 · 22m Because of a screwup, Burnside has put back community relations 30 years. Conway yells at Burnside before burnside goes to see Brownlow. Conway then goes to see Cryer who tells him what he…
- Episode 16: A Death In The Family Feb 23, 1989 · 22m Taffy and June are talking to a lady when they are aware of shouts down the road. they find a man holding his dead baby. June takes it back into the baby's room to try to resuscitate it…
- Episode 17: In The Frame Feb 28, 1989 · 22m Burnside is not only late for the weekly crime meeting with Brownlow, but is called out of it by an urgent phone call. Officers from Operation Backwoods ask Burnside to step outside. He…
- Episode 18: A Good Result Mar 2, 1989 · 22m Roache brings in a man suspected of handling stolen car radios. Yorkie and Reg are going to the soccer. Reg with the result of the relief and Yorkie undercover in a group of football thugs.
- Episode 19: Conscience Mar 7, 1989 · 22m Dashwood is moaning because Greig is playing his clarinet in the office. Roach is having a drink with a married woman and after she leaves, he recognises a man whose car has broken down as…
- Episode 20: Sunday, Sunday Mar 9, 1989 · 22m Taffy and Viv are in a Sunday market when they are attacked by a group of white supremists. Viv is then teamed up with Haynes and investigates a broken window. A Black vicar talks to…
- Episode 21: Climate Mar 14, 1989 · 22m June has been seeing a married man. Bob is worried about having his tires slashed during the night. Sgt. Peters has his own troubles and doesn't want to listen to Bob's. Roache talks to…
- Episode 22: Bad Company Mar 16, 1989 · 22m Dashwood and Carver investigate a fight at a bail hostel. A man bailed for receiving has been beaten up and jumps off the roof and runs away. He is later found in a moneylender's basement…
- Episode 23: Suspicious Minds Mar 21, 1989 · 22m Sun Hill C.I.D. and the Vice Squad raid six flats to catch a pornography ring. All the flats are clean except one, and it is suspected that the targets were tipped off. D.C. Dashwood saw…
- Episode 24: Intuition Mar 23, 1989 · 22m D.S. Roach is interviewing a suspect, Barron, about a cash and gold bullion robbery. There's not enough evidence to charge him, and Barron knows it. Roach is desperate to find the link…
- Episode 25: Loss Mar 28, 1989 · 22m Ch. Insp. Conway wants to see P.C. Smith and W.P.C. Martella about a special assignment: going through the missing persons register and following up some of the cases. A cynical Sgt. Penny…
- Episode 26: Procedure Mar 30, 1989 · 22m Cryer is filling up a car. Peters gives the relief a lecture about refilling area cars after using them. The fraud squad are visiting the station a day early. CID has Customs and Excise…
- Episode 27: Luck Of The Draw Apr 4, 1989 · 22m Ted goes undercover to catch a gang running a lottery scam. If the workers don't join, they have an industrial accident. An old lady comes to the station to pay a non-existant P.C. some…
- Episode 28: No Strings Apr 6, 1989 · 22m Roxanne is helping Roach and Viv catch bag snatchers at a disco. They get barracaded in the ladies loo with the suspects. Lines investigates a break-in at a medium's who has lost both her…
- Episode 29: Fool's Gold Apr 11, 1989 · 22m Carver, Yorkie and Ramsey bring in a suspect with a shooter. Suspect is tied in with Post Office jobs and cuts a deal with Burnside. A D.I. from Serious Crime comes to talk to suspect. Viv…
- Episode 30: The Visit Apr 13, 1989 · 22m Viv is visting a remand prisoner in prison and ends up being held hostage. After being released she is told all his grevious's are false. Melvin watches from a balcony in a shopping…
- Episode 31: One For The Ladies Apr 18, 1989 · 22m Tosh and Grieg investigate a death in a hotel. The manager treats them like scum. Man was a Polish travelling tie salesman and died of a massive heart attack. Reg pulls out 7 different…
- Episode 32: No Shelter Apr 20, 1989 · 22m An Italian turns up at the front desk asking for directions to the Blackball tunnell. Viv comes across a burglar with a gun who knocks her down and takes off. He was trying to break into a…
- Episode 33: Out To Lunch Apr 25, 1989 · 22m Ramsey picks up Burnside, Carver and Lines just as they are leaving a resturant but before they get going, a lady (Mrs Mancini) comes along and says there are people in her car having sex…
- Episode 34: Free Wheel Apr 27, 1989 · 22m CID are keeping an eye on a man who is suspected of illegal shipment of arms to 3rd world countries. No one has been able to make a case against him in 8 years. A package gets delivered…
- Episode 35: Only A Bit Of Thieving May 2, 1989 · 22m Roache talks to a lady about a burglary. Melvin goes back with him that night. Teenage burglars return and during a struggle one of them falls. His mate, who can't read, originally says…
- Episode 36: Communications May 4, 1989 · 22m Conway visits the CAD room and others to try and encourage people to talk about their problems. June asks Conway what he thinks her chances are of becoming a Sgt. After being wound up by…
- Episode 37: Silver Lining May 9, 1989 · 22m Haynes is about to escort school childrenacross the road when a rolls roycecoming speeding down it. Haynes drives it back to the station after finding it outside the dole office. There is…
- Episode 38: Suffocation Job May 11, 1989 · 22m June calls on a lady who claims her husband wants to kill her but the threat is 4 years old. Her husband smothered the baby with a pillow. Melvin investigates a break-in of a building…
- Episode 39: Mickey Would Have Wanted It May 16, 1989 · 22m Burnside goes to the funeral of an old villian, father of man suspected of the robbery. A dog digs up the loot. Melvin is talking to a boy playing hookey when he spota an armed robbery. He…
- Episode 40: Blood Ties May 19, 1989 · 22m Tony and Claire are waiting for the area car. While waiting, they have to ring around to find a missing prisoner. They are called to a disturbance where the son smashes the windscreen of…
- Episode 41: You'll Be Back May 23, 1989 · 22m Tony is talking to s shopkeeper about graffiti when he notices a scruffle between a stallholder and some youths. The stallholder is a friend of Cryer. Frazer overhears Cryer and Lines…
- Episode 42: Fort Apache - Sun Hill May 25, 1989 · 22m Industrial dispute by prison officers put pressure on the holding cells. Roache is not happy that a murder suspect is mixing with other prisoners. The prisoners in one of the cells are…
- Episode 43: Waste May 30, 1989 · 22m A homeless lady's body is found on a building site. Haynes investigates. She died of chorine gas. The site is run by a man convicted of fly tipping a few months ago. He has let a mate dump…
- Episode 44: The Strong Survive Jun 1, 1989 · 22m Jim is waiting in a car for the chemist to open and hungry. Meanwhile Mike is being fed breakfast and cups of tea. A man takes a club and breaks all the glass in the front door and then…
- Episode 45: Loving Care Jun 6, 1989 · 22m Carver investigates a burglary and finds an unconsious girl at the bottom of the garden with the stolen property. Jim accuses home owner of lying about exactly what was taken. Girl is…
- Episode 46: Back On The Streets Jun 8, 1989 · 22m Tosh and Carver are in a car waiting for a suspect who gets away after pinching a mailman's bike. Suspect's wife has been rumoured as doing modeling work. Suspect hangs off the balcony of…
- Episode 47: FAT'AC Jun 13, 1989 · 22m Yorkie is on hand at the scene of a fatal accident. Everyone is being held up and Yorkie is stressing out. Petrol is leaking from crushed car which has dead occupants. Sgt. Penny, when he…
- Episode 48: Somewhere By Chance Jun 15, 1989 · 22m Ramsey and Taffy investigate stolen credit cards in shopping precinct. While there a soldier says he has a bomb. The precinct is cleared and the relief check for the bomb. Taffy catches…
- Episode 49: A Quiet Life Jun 20, 1989 · 22m Jim is at the hospital talking to the wife of the victim of a robbery who had a heart attack. It is the latest in a string of robberies. Tony finds a man clearing the skip he hired of…
- Episode 50: Tom Tiddler's Ground Jun 22, 1989 · 22m Viv and June are on park patrol. A lady runs into a shed and locks herself in. A man is looking for his dog that went missing a year ago. Jim and Dashwood are watching a man's movements to…
- Episode 51: Make My Day Jun 27, 1989 · 22m Uniform are looking for someone who is letting off distress flares inside letterboxes. Melvin arrives on the scene of an attack. Householder wants something done. Hollis is back on the…
- Episode 52: Provocation Jun 29, 1989 · 22m Mike Dashwood is investigating pilfering from a building site. Foreman is not cooperative. Roache gets him to interview a lad about a stolen moped. Father hits Mike and then follows him as…
- Episode 53: Overspend Jul 4, 1989 · 22m Taffy has come in for a shift before taking his holidays. He is worried he will miss his flight. He tries to saw a bed rail to remove a prisoner but ends up removing the bed head instead…
- Episode 54: Between Friends Jul 6, 1989 · 22m Dashwood and Roach investigate a break-in at an apartment on the Thames. The burglar is chased and caught by uniform. Claims chloroform was planted on him but later changes his story to…
- Episode 55: Traffic Jul 11, 1989 · 22m An artist is painting in the middle of the road while a lorry is blocking the road. The girl won't talk but doesn't appear deaf. Garfield is stopped because of a hit and run of a little…
- Episode 56: The Sacred Seal Jul 13, 1989 · 22m An armed robbery is in progress. Jim follows suspect, picking up starting pistol but loses him outside a church. A priest is found holding the money after suspect leaves during confession…
- Episode 57: Subsequent Visits Jul 18, 1989 · 22m Stamp brings in a biker and leaves Brind to bring up the motorbike. CID doesn't want to know. Tosh is getting ready for his holidays. Garfield and Stamp are competing for number of arrests…
- Episode 58: User Friendly Jul 20, 1989 · 22m A plane has come down in a park. Pilot and passengers (1 injured) all took off. Dogs track injured man to a warehouse. The plane had taken off from Belgium. A wooden crate is found…
- Episode 59: Don't Like Mondays Jul 25, 1989 · 22m PC Edwards and PC Smith are called to a disturbance at a local bank, where they are surprised to find Tosh Lines' wife and children causing a commotion as there is no money left in their…
- Episode 60: Pickup Jul 27, 1989 · 22m Haynes and Martella follow a car which is being driven erratically. Viv is worried about Haynes because he is a friend of Ramsey. Frazer briefs uniform about how to pick up prostitutes who…
- Episode 61: Kidding Aug 1, 1989 · 22m Inspector Frazer is moaning about expenses. Viv is given domestic violence cases to follow up. She can't understand why beaten women stay. One would rather put up with it than suffer…
- Episode 62: Black Spot Aug 3, 1989 · 22m Tosh visits a family with some clothes and meets a man who is teaching his son bad attitudes regarding the police. He puts Tosh's back up and he is determined to nick him, although…
- Episode 63: Taken For A Ride Aug 8, 1989 · 22m Roach is meeting the Inspectors Promotion Board who made up their mind before the interview that he wouldn't be promoted. Carver is moaning to Burnside about going out in the evening. They…
- Episode 64: Time Out Aug 10, 1989 · 22m Burnside argues with a D.I. from robbery squad about using Greig and Lines on surveillance. They are sharing the house with a nosy lady. When the suspect is grabbed, the radio is not…
- Episode 65: Leaving Aug 15, 1989 · 22m Yorkie's last day. Ho goes to a suspected break-in at a video shop. Hollis thought he was going to Lombardy house instead. Yorkie has lost the area car but it turns out to be a prank…
- Episode 66: Street Games And Board Games Aug 17, 1989 · 22m June and Tony walk through a black community. Roach had raided a house selling intoxicating liquor. June and Tony are called to a disturbance at a house iwth white occupants. The father of…
- Episode 67: Pressure Aug 22, 1989 · 22m Taffy and Stamp are on a shout when they come across an accident. They have to carry on. Taffy's wife thinks Cryer is stopping his transfer going through. A nasty atmosphere is developing…
- Episode 68: A Little Knowledge Aug 24, 1989 · 22m Lines sits in on a poker game at a mini cab office. Illegal gambling is suspected. They raid the wrong place. Cathy moans to Taffy about putting the cards back. she is set up by Carver and…
- Episode 69: Pathways Aug 29, 1989 · 22m While attending a traffic accident, Alex is approached about vandalism on an allotment but it is about couples coming in having sex in the sheds. Turns out to a prostitute known to Alex…
- Episode 70: Seen To Be Done Aug 31, 1989 · 22m Penny is kicking the drunks out of the cells. One of the drunks is very relucant to go. He is later found dead by a cleaner. Hollis is getting in the way as Federation rep because he is…
- Episode 71: Tulip Sep 5, 1989 · 22m Roach and Dashwood arrest a man at an after match function. The suspect tries to help a girl and gets stabbed. Roach gets very little cooperation at another police station and has a run-in…
- Episode 72: Nothing But The Truth Sep 7, 1989 · 22m Burnside is having problems with the C.P.S.(Crown Prosecuting Service). He asks Brind to check a warrant on a man asked after by the C.P.S. Carver is having a hard time in CID. He is told…
- Episode 73: It's Not Majorca Sep 12, 1989 · 22m Lay visitors are visiting the station. 30 prisoners are about to be transferred from Barton Street. Sgt. Peters processes a boy who has stolen insects from a pet shop. The lay visitors…
- Episode 74: Mending Fences Sep 14, 1989 · 22m After being raked over the coals by Brownlow for the accident in the custody suite. Sgt. Peters mows Mrs Gunn's lawn before taking her to the vicar's fete. Taffy talks to Thompson Jnr. and…
- Episode 75: Exit Lines Sep 19, 1989 · 22m Garfield is on the beat when he notices an old lady catching her breath. He drops in to see her later and Cryer is worried he is skivvying. Norika comes in a day early to see Cryer and…
- Episode 76: That Old Malarkey Sep 21, 1989 · 22m Stamp calls on a lady who complains her neighbour is making noises. She has security bars on her door and loses the key. Tony calls the fire brigade to cut the bars and then she starts a…
- Episode 77: Greig Versus Taylor Sep 26, 1989 · 22m Greig interviews a suspect in an armed robbery. Most of the evidence is circumstantial but the suspect decides to confess.
- Episode 78: Tottering Sep 28, 1989 · 22m Turnham wants a name from Cathy but annoys her by whistling and then asks Reg who he thinks the suspect is. Cathy is rude to Roach later but he makes her feel better after talking to her…
- Episode 79: I Counted Them All Out Oct 3, 1989 · 22m Burnside, the rest of CID and some uniform assist Flying Squad thwart a hold-up on a security van at a supermarket. Carver is not happy that a shot was fired resulting in a villian later…
- Episode 80: Zig Zag Oct 5, 1989 · 22m Mike and Tosh are looking for a private detective. His girlfriend is not saying anything about his whereabouts. A client is also looking for him as is the driver of a car.
- Episode 81: A Matter of Trust Oct 10, 1989 · 22m Burnside and Carver are doing a joint observation with Robbery Squad on a security van. Info seems to be incorrect as to time of holdup. Conway is on warpath. Burnside's snout is not…
- Episode 82: Tourist Trap Oct 12, 1989 · 22m Dashwood and Ackland are on a tour in a graveyard. Garfield and Carver are in the hotel waiting to catch a thief. Greig is in the linen cupboard. Stamp is there also and is approached by a…
- Episode 83: The One That Got Away Oct 17, 1989 · 22m Brownlow is driving when he notices a driving erratically. He gives chase and catches the driver but can't reveal his location. The driver who was driving a stolen car, then nicks…
- Episode 84: Found Offending Oct 19, 1989 · 22m Stamp is near an underpass when he spots a girl begging. He brings her in to the station where it turns out that she was abused by her father. Lady outside a cafe is worried about cafe…
- Episode 85: All Part of The Job Oct 24, 1989 · 22m Brind sorts out a bit of bother in a pub. A man, who turns out to be from Special Branch, chats her up afterwards. Conway is not happy Brind is being put in dangerous situations and Frazer…
- Episode 86: In the Cold Oct 26, 1989 · 22m Taffy and Tony go to a rail yard where a female body has been found. Burnside thinks the watchman fits the picture. It turns out she died of exposure.
- Episode 87: Just a Little Run Around Oct 31, 1989 · 22m Frazer starts her police riot training and is reunited with some old friends.
- Episode 88: A Fair Appraisal Nov 2, 1989 · 22m Taffy is up for APA and is wound up by Tony. Taffy goes to deal with an alarm at a warehouse. Turns out to be an actual break in instead of a fault with the alarm. He refuses to anyone…
- Episode 89: Visitors Nov 7, 1989 · 22m Sunhill has an open day and a sliver cup is nicked. Lines is having money problems. Reg is concerned about stress on the job. June and Tosh investigate a man who is running a 'disorderly…
- Episode 90: Private Wars Nov 9, 1989 · 22m Burnside is driving past an electricity substation when he sees someone climbing over the wall. While investigating he is beaten by security guards. Frazer is looking for blue movies that…
- Episode 91: Feasting With Panthers Nov 14, 1989 · 22m A special constable gaves a ticket to a motorist. Penny warns a car owner to move his car and tells the special constable to destroy the ticket for the car. Penny loses it after reading…
- Episode 92: By The Book Nov 16, 1989 · 22m Norika talks to a driver who parks illegally. She then deals with an upset drug addict at a chemist. The girl is later found badly beaten and her prescription missing. Dashwood is worried…
- Episode 93: Beer And Bicycles Nov 21, 1989 · 22m Conway talks to the relief about image. ""Efficient service with a smile"". Martella is asked to do surgery that afternoon. Booze has been found in the locker room. Conway is on the war…
- Episode 94: Grace Of God Nov 23, 1989 · 22m A amn at a caryard has complaints about kids damaging cars and nicking car radios. The kids harass a man who has moved back into his old family home. The man snapped after the kids came…
- Episode 95: Just Another Day Nov 28, 1989 · 22m A group of children are harassing a shop keeper but the real complaint is against a sax player. Melvin thinks there is a connection between the busker and someone called 'The Pied Piper'…
- Episode 96: Gone Fishing Nov 30, 1989 · 22m Carver goes to the hospital to see how a victim of a hit-and-run accident is. Roach thinks it is attempted murder and although she says her husband didn't do it she is lying.
- Episode 97: Early Bird Dec 5, 1989 · 22m Taffy and Claire find an old lady on the street with a bird cage and a suitcase. She has run away from a home and later dies in the canteen. Tosh and Jim stop and search a cat burglar who…
- Episode 98: Just For The Crack Dec 7, 1989 · 22m Jim has brought a new suit. 27 motorbikes including a police bike have been nicked. Garfield and Viv notice 2 youths stealing a bike. When they raid the garage all they find is the license…
- Episode 99: Woman In Brown Dec 12, 1989 · 22m June and Melvin call at a school where a baby has been taken. June thinks she knows who took the baby. Viv and Able are called to a basement flat where the old lady has been conned by the…
- Episode 100: Speaking Freely Dec 14, 1989 · 22m Frazer brings in a suspected shoplifter. Frazer is having her apprasial interview later. A woman comes in to inform Frazer that there might be problems at a talk given by a pro abortionist.
- Episode 101: The Return Of The Prodigal Dec 19, 1989 · 22m Greig has been made Acting D. I. and Ted takes it up with Conway when he gets back. Ted is bringing in a prisoner who has been on the run for 12 months. His mum and sister are coming in…
- Episode 102: Chinese Whispers Dec 21, 1989 · 22m Norika can't get her car started. A man helps who turns out to be the bogus repairman. Norika and Dave are on the beat together when they are told of a blind man who has been mugged by 3…
- Episode 103: Powers Of Exclusion Dec 26, 1989 · 22m The van brings in a Reverend with a sheath knife after a fight. Burnside has been after the Reverend for a long time. Reg recognises the law clerk send to represent the Reverend. He has to…
- Episode 104: Saturday Night Fever Dec 28, 1989 · 22m DC Carver is at the hospital checking on a stabbing of a drug dealer. WPC Martella has some info about the deceased which prompts DS Burnside to bring in a couple of suspects. Sgt. Peters…