WPC 56

1956 in the Midland town of Brinford: The remains of a young boy, possibly thirty years old, are found in a disused mine by a dog-walker. At the same time Gina Dawson reports for duty as the first female constable at the town's police station and is greeted with hostility by Chief Inspector Nelson and patronised by sexist Sergeant Fenton

Burns and Dawson take the mother of William Parker, the boy killed in the 1920s, to identify his effects after which the Chief Superintendent inspects the station. He is kind to Dawson but tough on P.C. Eddie Coulson - his son.

As William Parker is finally laid to rest Sergeant Pratt recalls how Coulson tried to beat a confession out of Evans but Burns takes Gina to see another likely suspect,baker Henry Fuller,who had argued with Stanley's brutal father.

As Eddie lies in a coma Fenton suggests Gina, who witnessed the attack, help him track down the assailant. Pratt approaches his son Sam, who is protecting the culprit Johnny Harris but says nothing.

Cathy dumps her aggressive boyfriend Bill whilst Gina puts her career above Frank's marriage proposal. Meanwhile the police are in the firing line of the press following the murder so Gina agrees to be bait despite Burns' protests and walk through the park where the women were attacked

The travelling fair comes to town, and WPC Dawson searches for a runaway girl.