The Vice

5.3

1999•1h 30m

The Vice is an ITV police drama about the Metropolitan Police Vice Unit. It ran for five short series between 1999 and 2003. It tells the story of the London Metropolitan police force's vice squad, where prostitution, underage sex, and other such organized crime are regular occurrences. Most episodes end in such a way where the main villain is caught but often not in a 'naturally' concluded way that you would expect with other TV dramas, and often ending an episode with more questions unanswered than answered. The small dedicated team is led by Detective Inspector Pat Chappel who struggles to manage the balance between his home life and his work life - as do the other members of the team. Working in the seedy underworld leads to a continual dilemma for the team - the tension between the Vice Squad and the vice-related crimes that they investigate runs throughout the series and gives the show a rich viewing experience. The programme often blurs the line of the team staying on the right side of the law, as almost every member of the team at different points submits briefly or permanently to the temptations of either sex, drugs, money or honey traps. Sometimes with drastic consequences.

Production

Seasons

6 Episodes • Premiered 1999

1. Daughters (1)

The team have a well known and high class pimp David Hinkley under surveillance, but fail to save one of his girls being murdered. His daughter Natasha hides the envelope which contains the evidence needed to charge Hinkley. Nikki a working girl is looking for help from Chappel. He attempts to persuade her to make a statement about Hinkley. For her troubles she will receive a room in a hostel, but Nikki declines. Hinkley is bailled due until further enquires. He visits Nikki, believing she informed the police. Unknown to Hinkley, Natasha has already arrived there to do the same. Nikki and Hinkley fight, Natasha hides herself in the bathroom. Hinkley in a rage pushes Nikki out of a first floor window, an action witnessed by his daughter, Natasha. The murder squad are now involved on the case, much to Chappel's disgust.

2. Daughters (2)

Nikki is in hospital recovering from her ordeal, receives a visit from her ex-pimp, Guy Walsh. Walsh killed the prostitute after he discovered that she was recruiting his girls to work for Hinkley. Natasha is fazed by what she witnessed and doesn't know what she should do. Walsh pays a visit to Hinkleys home but finds Hinkley gone, he abducts Natasha as a bargaining tool. Hinkley has to pay Walsh a generous amount of money for his daughter back, Hinkley trys to negotiate but fails. Nikki has been discharged from hospital and moves in with Walsh and finds his prisoner. The Vice squad find Hinkley, he informs them what has happened with Natasha and what kind of man Walsh is. Chappel goes into the flat pretending to be a punter, Nikki tells him where Natasha is. Natasha is freed and Walsh is arrested.

3. Sons (1)

WPC Hutchins takes on more than she can handle while working under cover, when she discovers that a night club boss has a side line in S&M films. This also brings back painful memories to her boss Pat Chappel.

4. Sons (2)

PC Hutchins is making slow progress in her bid to find the young boy who was involved in a porn film, but believes his parents are hiding important information about his past. Meanwhile Chappel's professional relationship with Christina becomes personal.

5. Dabbling (1)

Inspector Chappels Vice Squad is being seconded by the Drug Squad to crack an escort agency that is working as a cover for drugs trafficking and prostitution.

6. Dabbling (2)

The investigation into the escort business is jeopardised when PC Raymond takes his interest in prostitutes to a personal level. Chappel investigates the blackmail of a new life peer.