After a bungled drugs bust, DI Carter is left to salvage something from the few scraps he has. Carter and the team were after ambitious small-time dealer Gerald Ridley but chances of them getting him now look slight. Later, Pcs Green and Lawtry go to help social services take two children into care. However, it turns out they're ill-prepared and unequipped to deal with the mother and find themselves in the middle of a hostage situation.