The Vice
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.
DI Chappel has been transferred to a desk job and DS Vickers has been drafted into the Vice Squad. PC Hutchins goes missing during an undercover operation into a pornographer, and Chappel risks everything to save her.
Inspector Joe Robinson returns to the Vice Squad, and attempts to nail a violent pimp. The mother of a young prostitute threatens to reveal details of her lurid past with DS Vickers.
The Vice Squad investigates an amusement arcade manager suspected of recruiting young runaways as rent boys. PC Sparkes is in a tricky situation as the male teenager who has been befriended by the amusement arcade manager, takes a shine to him and makes his undercover role uncomfortable. When the Vice Squad perform a bust he is mistaken for a punter.
The manageress of a pole-dancing club suspects her uncle of using it to run a prostitution racket. DI Robinson sends DS Vickers under cover to investigate but is conerned that his boss may be colluding with the suspect.
The Vice Squad assists the Serious Crime Squad to investigate the murder of a prostitute, with PC Morgan acting as liaison to the senior investigating officer.
DI Robinson investigates a club owner suspected of encouraging drug dealing on the premises, only to find that the club is a base for human trafficking.
PC Johnstone's relationship with a known pimp is discovered. DS Vickers attempts to use her for his own ends.
The Vice Squad investigate a series of murders of street prostitutes. Chappel gets involved with a young prostitute and is convinced that an arrogant city slicker who has befriended her is behind the murders.
DI Chappel targets a former porn baron who is still involved in prostitution. PC Morgan goes under cover as a party prostitute but takes the role too far.
DI Chappel goes under cover as a lodger to investigate a suspected porn merchant, but PC Hutchins discovers the house is the base for a paedophile ring.
DI Chappel runs into former boss DS Frank Vickers in a Soho brothel, past secrets are unearthed that threaten to destroy both the vice squad and Chappel's personal life. Investigating the death of a prostitute, Chappel tries to enlist the help of an ex-girlfriend, but she has moved on from the sex trade.
Chappel is at court for the trial of a prostitute accused of murdering her pimp. Girlfriend Jane loses her job with an investment company and decides to go back to the vice trade. DS Robinson strikes up an inappropriate relationship with PC Morgan.
Chappel goes undercover in a prison to flush out the ringleaders of a prostitution racket thought to be pimping young women to inmates. PC Hutchins, posing as Chappel's girlfriend, is targeted by the group.
Chappel resolves to resume his relationship with Jane, now working as an escort, but the corrupt DS Vickers is sniffing around her too.
DI Chappel and Sgt Robinson travel to Sheffield to uncover the reason that young girls from a children's home are becoming prostitutes in London. Chappel offers a roof to PC Hutchins.
DI Chappel and Sgt Robinson uncovr a London pimp's connection to the children's home where he recruits child prostitutes. Chappel seeks comfort in the bed of a colleague.
DI Chappel and PC Hutchins work undercover to investigate the gambling operation at The Jupiter nightclub.
Chappel's efforts to bring down the illicit gambling and prostitution organisation pushes PC Raymond to the brink.
The Vice Squad investigates a massage parlour where Eastern European girls are being forced to work as prostitutes after being illegally smuggled into the country. Sgt Robinson's marriage gets emotionally involved with a witness.
Desperate to crack the Eastern European sex-slave ring, DI Chappel betrays an old friend, with deadly consequences.
The Vice Squad investigates the murder of a pimp. Sgt Robinson comes under suspicion for the murder. DI Chappel begins a relationship with the victim's mother.
DI Chappel has to sacrifice his new relationship to save Sgt Robinson from the murder accusation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Release | 1999-01-04 |
| Producer | Carlton Television |