A six-part BBC Radio 4 crime drama set in 19th-century London.

It is 1830, a year after Sir Robert Peel’s creation of the Metropolitan Police, known as the 'Peelers'. As the brand-new bobbies patrol the beat in their smart blue uniforms, armed only with truncheons and rattles, they form the first line of defence against crime. 

But as this thrilling series opens, the fledgling detective force is proving unpopular, sparking deep political unrest and public protests. Rioters take to the streets of London, and the police struggle to contain the violence. 

The threat posed by the mob is not the only problem for young Martin Quin, onetime hero of Waterloo and now a police constable. First his fiancée, Maria Staples, breaks off their engagement due to her tyrannical father’s disapproval. Then Quin is involved in an altercation with Lord Trowle’s coachman, and the arrogant aristocrat insists he is charged with assault. Forced to defend himself in court, Martin finds himself facing imprisonment and ruin. 

Meanwhile, Bow Street runner Jeremiah Morley investigates shady printer Peter the Screever and uncovers a heinous blackmail plot.... 

Written by Patrick Carroll, this atmospheric series stars Richard E Grant as Lord Trowle, Norman Jones as Sir Robert Peel, Mick Ford as PC Martin Quin and James Booth as Jeremiah Morley.

Written by Patrick Carroll
Directed by Janet Whitaker
Singer: Martin Carthy

Cast

PC Martin Quin……………………Mick Ford
Jeremiah Morley……………………James Booth
Sir Robert Peel……………………Norman Jones
Lord Trowle……………………Richard E Grant
Colonel Rowan……………………Peter Jeffrey
Richard Mayne……………………Killian McKenna
Maria Staples……………………Joanna Myers
Sergeant Dutton……………………Ronald Herdman
Inspector Beale/Frederick Roe……………………Timothy Bateson
PC Atkinson/Sergeant Cazalet/Mr Evans……………………Alan Barker
PC Smythe/Francis Place/Turnkey/Mr Luke……………………Mark Straker
Lord Laverton/PC Rourke……………………James Greene
Mr Yardley……………………Richard Pearce
Arthur Jenkins/John Staples……………………Ian Lindsay
Rev Charles Lyton……………………Timothy Carlton
Mrs Gascoygne……………………Elizabeth Bell
Peter the Screever……………………Fraser Kerr
Beth/Florrie……………………Susan Sheridan
Lucy/Mrs Gregory……………………Elizabeth Kelly

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 18 July-22 August 1991