Chapter Thirteen

The two DCIs walking along in the cool Manchester air as commuters roared past and pedestrians tapped along, kids screeching at the school gates, mothers and fathers bidding farewell in little gaggles. They were summoned to Prelands Primary School after Social Services get involved, in that they are concerned that the children are in danger of emotional harm they may make an application within the 1989 Children Act proceedings for a Section 37 report, possibly with a view to the children being taken into care. This was when Gene asked Greater Manchester County Council's Social Services domestic violence team for further information on the Lancett family. Following a statement from a concerned neighbour, Gene and Sam start the ball rolling on their latest Safeguarding case "We can see if there is any previous history of abuse and our PCSO unit can then get Social Services more involved?" asked DCI Gene Hunt.

"First time I was anonymous but this time I gave my name and rank as I want them to be able to contact us if they need more info." said DCI Sam Tyler heading towards a marked Ford S-Max car.

The council made me feel like Hyacinth Bouquet objecting to having chavs next door but as I started logging it, seeing it written down in black and white I realised how bad it was, the verbal and physical abuse of their kids.

"Get out of it you cunt!" (man to ?)

"I'll knock you out!" (man towards woman to one of kids)

"You stay there whilst I sort this shit out!" (man to both kids)

"Move cos you're an idiot!" (man hits woman in front of older child)

"Keep this fucker in cos he has shit on his shoe! If you go to fucking school with all this shit on your shoe!..." (Man tells woman what to do, in front of kids).

"Fucking get inside now!" (Man to older child).

Auntie woman calling younger child "a little wanker" when he got in her way.

Man numerous times when baby cries shouting at it that it is a "fucking cunt".

"I fell down some stairs, that is all." replied Laura Lancett walking desperately into the CID room towards Detective Chief Inspector Gene Hunt's office floating around the main hall with computers in cubicles on opposite sides of the room feeling similar to a lost soul.

"A wife beater," said DCI Gene Hunt insistent "I've seen it: the excuses, injuries and submissive behaviours." stood outside his office door gathering the team for an important briefing about the latest domestic violence case.

"This Gary John Lancett only likes women of the stay at home type, but there's a pattern," said Detective Seargent Ray Carling tidying his piles of printed paperwork for once.

"I'll handle this," Gene said in his sure as tone "It's more than being clumsy and falling over something." shrugged the Guv who had more than his fair share of cases of like this.

"Do these injuries seem odd to you?" asked DCI Sam Tyler "PCSO Liz Cartwright witnessed Gary John and Laura fighting yesterday."

"It is possible that he is hurting her." said Detective Constable Chris Skelton "But look at her today. Open your eyes to Social Services taking their eyes off the ball."

It seems domestic violence is left to become a national scandal by Social Services, especially as DCI Gene Hunt grew up in a time when this was seen as socially acceptable then. His and Sam's 1970s childhood gave them specific insights into broken homes and it's crime status.

Gene confronted a social worker about the incident at the Lancett's home privately inside his office.

"How did Laura Lancett get hurt?" Gene asked firmly.

"Laura, just told you," she replied snootily "Fell down the stairs."

"Before or after Gary John argued?" putting down his mug on the desk.

"Two of my team members saw what happened at her house, I have a statement from a neighbour to prove otherwise. Liz in her capacity as PCSO followed you." Gene confessed with his full towering height rosing over his Dell desktop computer making eye contact facing her.

"DCI Eugene Hunt, you better take a step back and stick to policing because you are crossing a Social Services line!" intimidating the police officer of 24 years experience. "This conversation is over. Stay away from my cases and clients!" she snapped at the Boss.

Gene asks again "Did Gary John, push her? I don't believe you."

"No!" the female social worker shouted.

"And I don't care if magical rainbows are flying out of your briefcase, you just do your job properly as a social worker," said Gene.

DCI Gene Hunt would get to the bottom of this, there was only one option left. He and Sam would go to Mrs. Lancett herself and convince her to speak the truth about the domestically violent situation she seems to be trapped in.

Gene was already first on the scene headed off to the Lancetts home, his beloved gold Ford Mondeo Titanium X parked out front. Sam steeled himself and went to the door to help his colleague. He was about to knock for Gene when his fist froze at the sounds of screaming.

"Get away from me!" yelled Mrs. Lancett.

It allows DCI Sam Tyler to pick his way past two kid's bikes left lying on the path, though a football does catch his foot and make his heart leap into his throat. During other call outs on domestic violence and child protection, when if victim and perpetrator have to meet up to hand the child over for contact there's a risk the child could get caught in the crossfire of any violence.

At the sound of something breaking, Sam stepped back with the red enforcer tool and forced the door inwards; following the sounds to the lounge room where he and PCSO Cartwright witnessed a similar row during the other day. The boss was there, hands out in front of the terrified wife who was a wreck as Gary John was brandishing a kitchen knife. Sam carefully stepped over the broken lamp on the carpet flooring to help Gene make an arrest.

"DCI Tyler, what are you doing here?" said Gene still in his protective police clothing.

Laura Lancett was trembling, crying; but could see her violent husband still holding the knife. SOCO surveyed the scene for forensics and flash beep clicked photos for evidence on their Canon bridge digital cameras. Her arm was bleeding from a fresh cut.

"You what?" said Gary John from behind the two officers. "Are you off your head?"

Gene and Sam had seen enough. They turned from Mrs. Lancett and moved towards Gary John "Gary John, I'm arresting you under the suspicion of Domestic Violence, Criminal Damage, assault and Grevious Bodily Harm." Gene helped Sam finish the caution off "You do not have to say anything, but anything you do say; may be given in evidence when later relied on in court."

"Oh, now I know you're coppers who lost it!" said Gary John "Have you by chance noticed I'm sick of 'er and the retarded kids kicking off!"

"Defending herself from you, no doubt." Gene was busy handcuffing the large male reaching for his arms. Pulling back resisting arrest from the senior Detective Chief Inspector's grip. "Get your sodding hands off me, you daft gits! You don't know what you're doing!" attempting to discredit the arresting officers. The man was dangerous and known for scuffling with visiting police officers, when Gene was glancing over to the corner of the lounge; Mrs. Lancett was sat in a crumpled sobbing heap.

"It's alright, Mrs. Lancett." said Sam working with his fellow DCI and approaching the man's wife with slow footsteps. "You're safe now. We're here to arrest him."

Sam watched as Gene donned some white latex gloves and put the bloodied knife into a resealable evidence bag.

"Get this man into the arrest van," Gene said ushering two uniformed police officers away from the crime scene. He put an arm around the battered woman sat on the beige carpet. He stood there with her huddled into Gene's shoulder until the silence was broken by an ambulance siren which arrived.

"Who called the ambulance?" asked DCI Sam Tyler, still confused by the commotion.

"I did," said Gene looking at his Apple I-Phone.

The paramedics referred to Gary John's wife by her full names. The process was one that was very familiar to DCI Gene Hunt. The ambulance team and Lancett family have been through this many times before.

As the ambulance pulled away with an injured Mrs. Laura Lancett inside, DCIs Sam Tyler and Gene Hunt sit together on the doorstep of the Lancett family home; discussing when they first noticed Gary John's incidents towards his wife dating back to the eldest child's birth in 2003.

"He hurts her," said Gene "Gary John's been doing it for years. Those things get too much for his missus to handle; he threw his younger son with special needs Luke down the stairs on a few occasions and cuts his wife up. She'll be fine with it for a while thinking he's changed and then low behold; Gary John starts up again." noticing patterns "Social Services put them on these parenting assessments; sometimes they work, other times it's a failure. After the incidents against his disabled child, I tried to get the three little uns into foster care, but their social worker covers up the safeguarding wolves and miss out bits of Gary John's CRB references."

"I'm sorry, Boss that's awful!" feeling gutted for his mate as a police officer now that things were starting to make sense during this latest child safeguarding call out after Social Services informed Greater Manchester Police during a visit to Prelands Primary School for a meeting on the eldest Lancett child who was only four rising five years old.

"I'd rather fight for these beaten kids, women, men and uphold my reputation knowing I've at least tried to make a difference." Gene sighed and looked at DCI Sam Tyler.

"The kids and their mum need professional help; nowadays a disabled child is nothing to be ashamed of." Sam explained. "I don't know how Laura Lancett kept it quiet inbetween our visits."

"I'm hoping the Crown Prosecution Service won't be so lenient this time round and not be reeled in by social services girl talk gossip." Gene nodded determined to finish the work he and Sam started earlier on the Lancett domestic violence case.

"That was shit parenting in the 80s as well. I reported a kid to Social Services that was treated like that, when I was just a baby faced Detective Constable." DCI Gene Hunt recalled one of his very first Child Protection assignments from 1984 "Many children were scared of their abusive parents, schools could get away with breaking safeguards and children had little or no choice in anything in those days." thinking things had moved on since his 1970s-1980s childhood. Increased awareness of abuse has meant that children who speak up about being abused are believed in a way they weren't years ago.

"Will they talk to the EYFS nursery teacher? What we heard is so incredibly bad I can't believe the older child doesn't let something slip and I bet he is fucking and cunting in front of the teachers or other kids. He will stand out like a sore thumb, poor baby." said DC Chris Skelton who went white as a sheet when the audio equipment picks up on the heated arguements inside the Hulme address. "Tell me why Social Services forewarn people in suspected abuse cases, that they are coming out?"

"-I just thought…they're two kids brought up in an abusive household, Gene. I thought you'd care more." The police knew it was standard proceedure to inform Social Services if children had witnessed Domestic Violence in ALL cases, this Gene doesn't have a problem with as he believed the safety of children is paramount, what Sam is shocked at (and this isn't the fault of social workers) is the lack of training social workers receive in respect of domestic violence.

"Because I'm a shining bad example of what can happen to kids who take the abusive smacks off their old man's violent brother? Oh, how terrible, you might only end up a D.C.I.. Someone save the children!" joked DCI Gene Hunt in shock at what he's seen in the Lancett household. This is the exact reason Gene wants social workers to receive better training in dealing with domestic violence. They have very little understanding of it. Charges are usually dropped by the CPS as they have determined the victim will not make a credible witness.

"For God's sake! Listen to yourself. I know you want Reuben Paul, for DSI Harry Woolf, or your own pride or whatever. But we are talking about a woman's life here, Gene. An innocent woman, with three kids under 5 plus a dad known for GBH and violent family relatives with form for child abuse." stated DCI Sam Tyler who wanted his mate, a fellow Detective Chief Inspector to focus on the job at hand.

"...say again, eight-six-zero?"

"Laura Lancett discharged herself out of the hospital this morning. Against medical advice, mind you."

"Why weren't we told?" After 1998 Data Protection Act regulations prevented St. James's NHS from revealing the reason for Laura Lancett's admission into Accident and Emergency after Gary John battered Laura in front of their three boys when the police and the hospital reported the incident to Social Services that night. DCI Gene Hunt keeps logging the incidents, preferably recording each one as then there is proof and it is not his word against theirs.

"…thanks. Out. No, wait! Send a marked car over to her house, would you? Just to watch for a bit."

"Will do, Boss. Over and out."

"Lancett! You're arrested under the suspicion of Domestic Violence." DCI Gene Hunt was reading Mr. Lancett the caution and his rights through the letterbox, since no-one was answering the door. The two DCIs hear domestic violence happening right this minute through the letterbox.

"From what I know of Social Services, that wouldn't surprise me, either to just send them on a course then sign them off whilst the behaviours continue apace. I was amazed the last time they came out to realise the younger child wasn't put in some sort of nursery in the day-time, to keep her safe and in a better environment at least a few hours a day. But she remains at home all day. I know from the constant screaming she is there." stated DCI Gene Hunt since the younger child's behaviour was very much like his younger brother Robert, a possible behavioural disorder within this child making her development dodgy. "Who would threaten to knock out a 2, 3 or 4 year old toddler?" said DCI Sam Tyler standing behind Gene's 6 ft tall and heavily built frame.

The door swings open. Gary-John glares at him, eyes slitted in rage, every inch a man interrupted in the middle of something big. "What?"

Gene draws himself up, and sticks his hands in his pockets. He can't handcuff him. "Just passing. Thought I'd look in on your missus, seeing as she discharged herself out of hospital."

"Bugger off, Hunt!"

"Don't think so, mate." He looks past him, to where Laura is leaning against the wall. She pulls her hand away from her face quickly, as if it was never there, holding her cheek. But he sees the way it's shaking, and the livid fingerprints of the blow she just took. "You alright, love?"

She nods, and swallows. "Fine." Laura is forced to cover up for her thuggish husband when Gene checks for the warning flags of domestic violence, takes photographs for the Scenes of Crime officers and puts blue police tape cordoned around the Hulme council house premises.

There are tears in her eyes. He looks her over, and sees the remnants of the injuries he saw when he visited her in hospital. Sketch lines of scars, under fresh bruises, and a day-old cut on her lip. She looks like she's having trouble standing straight, so the bastard obviously worked her ribs this time. "What more could I have done? He caught me trying to call police and ripped the phone line from the wall."

"You heard her."

He looks to the side. Laura looks horrified, but he can't help that. "You got somewhere to go, love?" asked Gene gently handing her a glossy Greater Manchester Police domestic violence brochure that also had all the local contact numbers for Women's Aid, Shelter, YMCA and NSPCC.

"I – I can't. The boys." she stammered in terror over her children's violent deadbeat father frightening her into submission again like normally. Gene advises her to escape immediately.

"Take them with you." advised DCI Gene Hunt who had experience of domestic violence call outs as he grew up himself with the same situation when his uncle used to kick seven types of shit out on him, Robert and Stuart as children. Babies being in an abusive environment are affected and there are studies that show the trauma affects their development; since cases like this only go one way: worse, can be left with lifelong disabilities and/or scars. "Just take paperwork, medicines, ID, small toys and clothes into a suitcase for now." He had nearly 24 years of experience as a police officer. "Get on to Greater Manchester Council's housing team, state you have three dependents (one with special needs) and they will find you emergency accommodation for the night, hopefully."

She's feeling trapped, her scared eyes flicking between the two of them. Gene's seen that look before too, long before he joined the force in 1983. His step mother's eyes, knowing she should get her half sons away from this, but too frightened to move. No money, no options. No guts. They'd been ripped out a long time before.

"My social worker has been brilliant - was already involved due to my younger son Luke's disability...but CAFCASS seem more swayed by his victim mentality.." sobbed Laura Lancett frightened that she won't be believed should her domestic violence problems go to retrial.

The only words they know are rotes and procedures, spouted at the appropriate moments.

"I saw you pin little Luke against the kitchen wall, because you hit one of the boys for being a typical kid. Is that what this is about?" questioned PCSO Liz Cartwright firmly with her brown hair, smart uniform, handcuffs and black Motorola police radio overhearing the incident when she was on the beat in Manchurian Way Estate with it's array of drab council housing. "And yes, you could lose your children if Social Services deem you to be a risk. It's your choice."

"About the abuse of the kids, and their mother." Unfortunately, it's the court system that lets it down. What's the point of the police arresting the same offender over and over and over if he only gets repeated cautions or the CPS drop the case because it's not in the public interest or there's not enough evidence (her word against his)? The law is full of stupid loopholes in these cases as Gene knew all too well even though domestic violence should be more understood than it was when he was a child in the 1970s years ago. "However it seems that with many of the old school social workers; I have come across, both as a victim and within my professional work, they have no real experience or training in this field and so they have the very ignorant view and place the blame on the victim parent." snarled DCI Gene Hunt profiling a report filled full of lies by CAFCASS about Gary John portraying him as a firm but fair father with difficult children and one whom has additional needs.

"Oh and don't get me started on contact with violent dads and mums, I would agree with you most of the time, these arses made their choice when they started beating on the children's mum or dad!" when DCIs Gene Hunt, Sam Tyler and their colleagues were stood inside the Crown Court awaiting Gary John's trial for several counts of domestic violence against wife Laura and child abuse on his three children under 5.

Gary John at present is only allowed supervised access under court order pending final hearing and psychologist report.

Gary John 46 is the ex husband to Laura Lancett 20 and father of three sons Luke aged 4, Levi 2 and baby David 6 months. He has history of domestic violence, Grevious Bodily Harm, assault and abuses children of eight and under. In view of the history given by Greater Manchester County Council's Child Protection team; it is proven he should only see his children at a family contact centre for Mrs. Lancett's safety. The psychologist has diagnosed Borderline Personality Disorder, ADHD and schizophrenia in view of his early development given by his old social workers.

"I'll bet you a tenner and a bottle of Tizer; Gary's done this before. Usually it starts in childhood, things like torturing younger siblings and such. Unexplained incidents that maybe the parents don't want to think could possibly be their child. Countless studies have proven this to be a reliable similarity across all these kinds of cases." Sam carried on with Gene nodding.

"We buy toys for the local children's homes, special schools and domestic violence charities." said DCI Gene Hunt handing the Police Community Support Officers some money; the table was covered in a pile of brightly coloured toys. Alongside these causes, Greater Manchester Police also annually fundraise for BBC Children in Need; watching Terry Wogan's telethons since introduction in 1980; three years before Gene started his career in the police service.

Not that Gene was quite so young these days, but still he was always a handsome bloke. He was looking like a eighteen year old police constable again, circa 1983. Former WPC Phyllis Dobbs was a grandmother, living alone and not that many years since she went into retirement and she was just, simply, old. Phyllis rolled her eyes at the boy (always, always a boy, no matter the decade) and let him chauffer her, because that was first class sympathy from DCI Gene Hunt.

He had been a wet behind the ears PC then in '83, and his rival a dashing DC with more money and his own motor in to the bargain. His shoes splash through puddles on the pavement, surrounded by building work and signs of regeneration.

"And this used to be such a nice neighbourhood," he mumbles, getting up from the pavement and heading towards his car.

Aldcliffe Road looks the same as it always has, more or less unchanged since he was a little boy. A new coat of paint here and there, a few upgraded windows but that's about it. It's eerie sometimes. He can close his eyes and be seven years old in 1972 again. He'd been twelve. Stu had been fifteen it was 1977, and had taken to disappearing early on Saturday mornings. He caught him once, sneaking back into the house before their dad woke up, and finally demanded to know what was going on.

Gene may have went to church on a Sunday when he was too young to know better; but that went out the front door along with whatever childhood his old man's brother managed to wrangle out of him, Robert and Stu.

"Don't know if it can be fixed, Dad. An old mark like that." said Gene gesturing towards the door that his father's brother once broken Stu's hand on.

"Best leave it then, eh? I wouldn't want t'cause more damage." said DSI Stephen Hunt.

The Grand Theatre hasn't been grand for thirty years; since it was last renovated in the Seventies. These days they try to maintain the illusion, but nothing can hide the flaking, faded paint and threadbare seats. It doesn't help that it's used less as a theatre, more as an underworld boxing club now. Gene looks down at the ring from the top of the stairs. Its sagging ropes and patchy surface conceals the stories of ten thousand dancing feet, countless broken faces, any amount of shattered dreams. The boxing club has looked the same for as long as he's been coming here. He'd paid a couple of visits when he was a lad, mainly to look for Stu. It has that same smell of sweat and testosterone, the same dirty cream walls, and he swears those are bloodstains on the floor.

"It's actually your tenants we wanted to ask about, love," Gene began, downing a swig of tea and daintily crunching into a pink wafer. "Ooh, these are lovely," he smiled again, letting the Gene Genie do his magic on what the Lancett family were like as Mrs. Helen Castle's tenants.

Mrs. Helen Castle bustled into the kitchen and came back a few moments later with a country flower-patterned tea set. "I don't seem to have anything around other than pink wafers, is that all right?" Mrs. Castle seemed concerned she wasn't being a good hostess.

"It's like you read my mind, darling," Gene smiled. "Those are my old favourites."

"The Lancett children seem to have some form of behavioural problems, even though they are all five and under; their dad is an abusive guy that plays his hi-fi system enough to drown out the neighbourhood with crap dubstep music, keeps strange hours and it's his wife I feel sympathy for slaving over seeing to the babies 24/7 with no respite." Mrs. Castle replied to the two police officers busy writing down her statement "The mum is a lovely girl, who's been down on her chips unfortunately recently with Gary John's violence towards her and the three kiddies."

"I've had one of them 1980s Sanyo digital clocks with a radio since my first days in the police service," Gene nodded. "I wouldn't ever want to replace it. Still wake up with it every morning, it's so reliable."

The senior Detective Chief Inspector always had a soft spot for women old enough to be his late mum, as he never got to know her sadly dying after Gene's birth in 1965. He still has his stepmum who is Stephen Hunt's second wife, once they were settled into Manchester.

"That's very nice of you to say, Mrs. Castle. You've been a great help to us as well, and I'm very grateful for it." Gene beamed and set his cup down on the tray. "I'm afraid we have to get back to the station now, but thank you very much for the lovely tea."

"It was better to wait for them to split CID into two units like I knew they were going to and then take that position instead." said DCI Gene Hunt remembering when the old Regional Crime Squad were first disbanded somewhere in the early 90s when he was still only in his twenties from DCI Litton's legacy. "Policing is sitting at a desk waiting for a nice warrant and loading up!"

"Oh, but it is you, Hunt," DCI Derek Litton replies. "You and your perfect little coppers."

Gene is still silent, now looking at him with something in his eyes he can't quite make out. He doesn't care, though, and Litton continues. "Everything by the book, everything by the rules, you're just like bloody robots!" he's on the shouting side of loud.

Litton snorts. "Oh, I'm sorry little police princess. If this is a bit too much for you…"

Cartwright is looking at them as they disappear beyond the door in the corridor, the Kit-Kat bar still clutched in her hands. It's a chunky one, he notices. Oh the utter, utter bastard.

He drags Gene all the way to the gents'. He scares the young PC off with a glare and a snarl and locks the door behind them.

"All right!" he exclaims, turning around.

Gene is looking at him with a disapproving frown, his arms crossed over his chest, it's probably his standard defence pose.

"What're you lookin' at, Genie Hunt?" he growls.

Gene sighs and rolls his eyes. "I'm eagerly waiting for you to get to the point of this little scene," he says.

He narrows his eyes at him, taking a few steps and invading his personal space, menacingly. "You," he says, very slowly, "stay away from my team."

Gene Hunt squints up at him. "Give me a good reason why I should."

"Oh, give up," he snorts. "I know all about your little scheme."

Gene Hunt gives him a long look. "Oh, really?" he says. "Then why don't you tell me all about my 'little scheme', since it seems I don't know what the hell you're talking about."

"Oh, you know perfectly well," Litton says. "You're sniffing around my officers!"

"Tell that to all the other female officers who've worked with you and filed a complaint."

"Bunch of sissies," DCI Derek Litton snorts into his glass.

"Tyler may be a little young there sir, but he does the job and he does it well. I'd rather take his word over you poser's any day!" said DI Gene Hunt.

Gene Hunt's a progressive young man, plus is he an open minded sort. He takes the opportunity to address DCI Derek Litton's team while Cartwright and PC Sam Tyler are safely out of their way.

"Whichever one of you smart Alec's who put the pile of saucy lads magazines on Cartwright's desk, shift 'em. If I hear another funny remark 'bout her bra or any other bits of her clothin' you'll be hung out on the Super's flag and I am gonna 'ave to deal with his tight arse naggin' on 'cos one of you pillocks has made her blub." DI Gene Hunt firmly stated with his trademark mullet and leather boots.

"Mrs. Cartwright might be a female, she might 'ave bristols, she might even be better lookin' an' smellin' than the lot of you put together but I will not 'ave one of my officers treated like meat 'cos you lot think it's funny to see how far you can push her. Are we clear?" finished the baby faced Detective Inspector addressing the older RCS department upstairs in the old A Division room.

A chorus of disgruntled "Yes Boss's" goes up and Gene nods before turning away.

"Force Litton into retirement, I might get to be DCI, demote some of his men, fire the rest."

"Derek Litton was later found guilty of corruption and tampering with evidence! These were exactly the kind of officers I wanted kicked off the Force; because I can't stand bullying and procedure being broken." explained DCI Gene Hunt as he arrives at Ruth Tyler's terraced house; it took them back to the days they spent there together playing when they were children.

A woman in her sixties, dressed soberly, but elegantly, opens the door. Despite her tidy appearance, her eyes are heavy, and circled in black bags. "Yes?" she asks, politely.

He averts his eyes, apparently he never thought this far. "I- Uh," he clears his throat. "Mrs. Tyler, I'm DCI Hunt, and we had reports of some pupils known to Social Services who attend Prelands Primary School bothering your neighbours, parental complaints and bullying younger children."

Her face clears at that, and she smiles softly at him. "Of course!" she exclaims. "Sam talks a lot about you. Come in, please."

She takes a step backwards, letting him in. They stand for a moment in the entrance, looking at each other, and he knows why he's here.

"Would you like some tea?" she asks, finally, and he nods.

DCI Gene Hunt observes Mrs. Tyler carefully, no ring on her finger, and the photos scattered all over the living room show only a child here, a teenager there, an adult in the one next to the pot of flowers. The same person in every picture, peering out from the glossy paper in different snapshots of a life. One son. Sam Tyler.

There are photos on the night table, some of Mrs. Tyler, another of a child wearing a police helmet. There's a Manchester United banner hanging from the wardrobe. There is a police Corgi Ford Cortina Mk3 GXL still inside the original box and other one is a Rover 3500 SD1.

He sniggers in the silence of the room. "A Manchester United red. I should have known."

Some CD cases are piled next to the hi-fi. Bowie, T. Rex, Sweet. Gene looks at the artwork.

"You and my son keep being called to the school in your capacities as police officers. These two ten to eleven year old boys frequently picked on a sensitive Reception aged child about his mummy; they give the neighbours grief and when adults discipline them, 'the I know my rights brigade' have a lot to answer for." said Ruth Tyler who lost count of the incidents at Prelands Primary School her son and his best mate Gene were often summoned to as police officers.

Gene replied "You know, Mrs. Tyler; maybe a primary school who allow their Year 6 pupils to pick on practically toddlers should face legal action, since their anti bullying policy is useful as a chocolate teapot!" dunking a Bourbon into his tea and eating it with the chocolatey taste.

"No point in letting the school deal with these incidents on-site; they had so many chances to fail well behaved pupils and still letting those two boys run amok." stated Ruth Tyler who kept diaries of the bullying incidents at Prelands Primary School, secret photographs and audio recordings.

"Mum, we'll now be taking legal action on these little hooligans, as you've played this right; it'll lead to a much bigger investigation at Prelands Primary School." said DCI Sam Tyler clearing the tea set into the kitchen through a serving hatch.

"You're a good boy, Gene Hunt, and good coppers." Ruth smiled as she watched her grown up son walk out of her home with his fellow colleague and childhood friend.

Sam wanted to wade in and stop the fight immediately. Wanted to give those little bullies the trouncing they deserved but he held himself in check. For all Gene occasionally joked about how sensitive Sam was he knew the world was a hard place. He'd grown up without a father and taken his share of school playground teasing for it.

Gene snorts at the negligent lunchtime playground supervisor. "What do you think this is, the 1970s? This is the bloody 21st Century, wake up and smell the coffee!"

"Who are you?" The boy shrieked. He heard the doors creak open from the school's Sixties designed premises with shabby paint on the windows, piles of old disused 1980s Acorn BBC Micro computers and broken or well used equipment near the school's industrial bins.

"Excuse me!" A woman cried out. "Put that child down, Sir."

Turning, without letting go of the hooligan, Sam looked coolly at the older woman in the doorway. "Police." He said coldly. "Have you been watching these two boys assaulting the younger one? If they're 10 or 11 they can be held criminally responsible for any bullying."

"Well, we prefer to deal with bullying internally within school premises." she huffed.

"Well?" Sam inquired.

"Boys will be boys after all." She replied.

"I think we should all go inside," Sam declared. "I find that I'll be needing to use your telephone."

"Um," the woman looked flustered.

"Now," Sam said sharply.

He discovered the woman was in fact the headteacher of Prelands Primary School when DCI Sam Tyler sits the two boys on a row of plastic school chairs; let her know what it feels like when Ofsted and police threaten legal action against their inadequate anti bullying policies.

"Chris?" He asked. "Could you and Ray come down to Prelands Primary School? And bring along a couple of PCSOs and a marked panda. No, I think this is something that our team should handle together. Favour for the boss that he doesn't need to know about. You understand?"

He walked back into the outer office and leaned against the counter. Crossing his arms across his chest he glared at the four in front of him. "Hey Mister," the second boy started.

"You can't touch me, I know my rights!" one of the bullying children taunted towards Detective Chief Inspector Sam Tyler who knew about primary schools with red flags for Ofsted to mark under Special Measures especially with their lax attitudes towards bullying and safeguarding.

Chris, Gene, Liz and Ray arrived a few minutes later and after a quick conference with Sam decided on the best way of handling things. Ray, Gene, Liz entered the office with Chris and Sam following behind trying to hide their own smiles. "Mrs. Parker," Chris said firmly as he helped her to her feet and then handcuffed her decisively. "You are under arrest on suspicion for the neglect, failure to prevent bullying and abuse of children under your care." then he read her the caution "Anything you do or say may be given in evidence which you later rely on in court."

"What?" She shrieked angrily.

"Letting two bigger boys beat up a five year old in the school playground while you look on is a crime." Sam informed her with an evil grin. "You're under arrest."

DCI Gene Hunt stepped forward and grabbed each boy by the collar. "I'm taking you boys home and we're going to explain to your slag chav mummies about how it's their responsibility to raise good, upstanding sons and not little hooligans. If they can't manage it because they're too busy having babies, watching Jeremy Kyle; spreading lies and gossip to each other then we can always bring in the social workers, get a child in need assessment and send you little deviants off to a children's home. Do you understand me?"

"Yes sir," the boys mumbled as Gene pulled them out to his car.

The police officers speak to the boys auntie and Libby knew they have a history of dangerous allegations. It is revealed that her own sister as a mum has been facing this since they were seven years of age. There was a red head woman who wept "What junk have my nephews done, this time at school?" filled with dread over answering the door to two Detective Chief Inspectors. "My goodness! I was expecting silly white lies and kiddie squabbles, not big dangerous whoppers!" said Libby Arndale at aged 20 years old, born in late 1986 or early 1987.

In September 200X, 11 year old claimed that my sisters best friend who has babysat him regularly for his whole life threw him down the stairs. It (obviously) launched weeks worth of investigation and pain until he eventually admitted after weeks of pain for everyone involved that it was not true.

"Someday the boys will tell a lie that will ruin somebody's life. They're not welcome to my home and I will not let any of my children spend time with their nephews individually." said Libby Arndale answering DCI Gene Hunt and Sam Tyler's questions to help piece together the full picture of behavioural patterns to see whether the two boys known for bullying younger children at Prelands Primary School would have mental health issues left unchecked.

Junior DCI Sam Tyler empathised "Your sister needs to take this seriously and get some therapy for these boys. They are going to get into serious trouble one day if it carries on like this."

Gene remembers the times he had to investigate mental health cases since he is the more senior of the two "I, too, would be very wary of this. Their behaviour is very alarming and I hope you implore your sister to get help for them. The lies they are telling could destroy someone's life. I've seen it happen and it was a nightmare."

"I think that responsible adults do need to be aware that they are vulnerable to misinterpretations on their part, and that my nephews are vulnerable to misunderstandings or fabrications, whether conscious or subconscious. So extra care needs to be taken around them." said Libby Arndale heartbroken by the damage their bullying of younger children and false allegations have caused in the local community. This incident of a tiny five year old toddler being caught in their playground fight is the last straw since the playground supervisors didn't be aware about the boys going out of sight from supervising adults and notify their teachers.

"Could it be that something serious has happened to your nephews, and no one has recognised or believed them and this is it playing out?" asked DCI Sam Tyler gently handling the questions with a sensitive approach; while DCI Gene Hunt is e-mailing, scanning diary entries and ringing around people who are involved with little Paul and Carl Arndale as they're between 10 and 11.

"It may be that your nephews tells one of his lies to someone who will report the (non) incident to the police or Social Services and an innocent party could find themselves falsely accused of hurting the child (or worse!)" warned DCI Gene Hunt who was trying to battle with the system on getting Libby's nephews the important but vital mental health help they need; when kids consistently lie like this, especially when the lies are so outrageous they are bound to be caught out, it's often a response to early trauma.

"If I were to have these children around, it would be with the understanding that one of the parents would be present 100% of the time and that they would not to be left unattended with anyone." stated DCI Sam Tyler who was stapling the diary entries in chronological order.

A statement from an anonymous neighbour has the following written down:

I am amazed you still have one on one time with them (i.e boys were at your house today)

That kind of thing literally ruins lives - it could have broke your marriage, your husband could potentially have lost his job, the list is endless.

At 10 and 11 they know FULL WELL the consequences of such outrageous lies. I am right that one of their lies will ruin someone's life and you need to protect adults in positions of trust.

"All behaviour is communication. Your nephews need professional help to find out why they're behaving this way. If your sister has other children, she could end up having them all younger ones taken off her; if he lies about her or his dad." continued DCI Gene Hunt wearing a blue collared top "Paul and Carl seem to be suffering from mental health issues. It needs to be addressed before they become a risk to themselves and others."

Libby Arndale grew up with the family being close knitted and is used to spending time with all of their child relatives in each others houses through intergenerational lives. "They would still maintain it happened and my sister Tracy was afraid of other people (school, friends, and acquaintances) hearing untrue stories and contacting Social Services or police..."

"How many times have they done it? It might be a good idea now to print written records (don't tell your sister) in case it's needed in the future. Write down dates, who was blamed, what actually happened." said PCSO Liz Cartwright who came to join her two bosses on this case with the Prelands Primary School bullying pupils; leading to a much larger problem than originally thought. "It's very important to make sure people like his GP and school have on record that he's making repeated disclosures like this. So sorry, how horrible for all of you." she sympathised with Libby Arndale, since Liz Cartwright had two young nephews herself being an auntie.

DCI Gene Hunt gets a cross updated email: It's on record with all professionals involved. It is now on a Social Services care plan sheet just in case, Paul and Carl's social workers need to see the patterns of behaviour.

He types back: Great, glad to know this has now been attached to their files.

He speaks to their Year 5 and 6 teachers who know of a much younger child heading in the same direction as the Arndale boys "Sadly our school is teaching a child like this at the moment, said child is younger than Tracy's boys; but is heading the same direction." shaking her head in disapproval since this problem of false allegations is increasingly becoming more common amongst their more troubled pupils. This lady is 11 year old Paul Arndale's teacher who had wispy blonde hair, was passionate about teaching and mentoring their difficult pupils.

"Some of this 4 year old's fantasies are harmless but confirmed untrue (along the lines of being selected to appear on tv talent shows etc) but some are damaging to other people and potentially even careers." said the older Year 5 teacher who knew of this little toddler becoming a liability and it's already starting to show "an unfounded allegation like this is one of my biggest fears. This poor toddler will end up alone or in care at this rate." referring to the late Nursery, Reception age pupil without breaching confidentiality on his name; giving the 42 year old Chief Inspector something to follow the patterns towards with on the Arndale boys. "Can you imagine if Libby Arndale didn't have CCTV? For fucks sake, her children could have been removed had this escalated." furious at what the school's two infamous bullies have done.

"Are you not concerned about them going to scouts and accusing the guy who runs it?" asked a curious teaching assistant who overheard their conversation "I think the advice to log all behaviours is good."

"Oh, wow!" exclaimed DCI Gene Hunt "I would cut all after school activities where parents couldn't be present. They're a walking liability; these boys could accuse anyone at scouts. If I were their Daddy, these kids wouldn't be going anywhere near an after school club if I couldn't be present to supervise and encourage good behaviour!" tutting in embarrassment towards leaving untrained after school activity leaders to care for people with mental health needs.

"At a time when the default (usually and quite rightly) is to believe children's accounts of harm done to them, it's incredible that any school would accept the risk these poor children pose. I realise exclusion is a last resort, but just can't see how they can afford to take a chance on them cutting a swathe through the entire staff!" said the Deputy Head ranting as she writes yet another incident form on pupils Paul and Carl Arndale towards the younger Year R child.

The last thing Prelands Primary School actually want are months of investigations from Ofsted, Social Services and stress or worry. Unfortunately sometimes unfounded slurs from their pupils, stick.

"The school are fully aware of the history we have with my two. They go to a very small primary school and they have the resources to keep an eye on the boys at playtime, lunch and break. There is always an adult present." Tracy Arndale described as she felt a chilling horror that her two boys may have to attend a special needs school for psychological reasons in a few months time.

"This really is very disturbing. It's one thing when a 4 year old fibs that there's a dinosaur living in his room, but when an 10 and 11 year old are accusing people of serious violence, you know there is something drastically wrong." said DC Chris Skelton who wanted the boys mum to think carefully about the nature of today's incident towards a five year old toddler whom attends the same primary school and their historical false allegations towards adults in positions of trust.

"We are carefully documenting some of the incidents (if you haven't had time already) in order to support anyone else through false allegations they might make in the future. I don't say this as a means to condemn or attack your boys, but more to assist any future innocent person in putting false allegations to rest promptly." replied PCSO Liz Cartwright who is updating Mrs. Tracy Arndale who meant well with her handling of the situation as their mum with breaking news.

"I wouldn't be prepared to be that ONE adult supervising him in school, putting my career at risk." yelled the irate neighbour who sent her statement anonymously to Greater Manchester Police "I also hope his bloody mum accompanies him to after school activities such as scouts. She shouldn't be putting the scout leaders at risk." trying to beat up a well meaning parent verbally for daring to let her sister Libby's nephews attend the normal childhood clubs. "So you would be happy to have a child in your home who could potentially get one of your family or adult in authority an unwarranted criminal record?!" shouting at the police officers present there.

"Calm down, we know you're upset about the situation." reasoned PCSO Liz Cartwright and gets the neighbour to pause for a minute.

"My stupid nephew is heading this way... he is 5 though. Told school his mum beat him because he had a bruise from falling off a swing at the park. Cue to endless nosy Social Services visits. I am waiting for this to escalate but his dear mother doesn't do much about it. She's too scared and weak to say anything to him now otherwise he says I will tell school you hit me..."

"I can understand your frustration towards these two boys, but being angry isn't going to help." replied DCI Sam Tyler "The five year old should have been dismissed immediately; as he is too young for his account to be taken into consideration; particularly if there was history of bizarre behaviour and accusing people of things…"

"But the root cause needs to be tackled with both professional help, and the unconditional love of their family." seriously intoned by DCI Gene Hunt who was watching CCTV footage of the boys at Prelands Primary School. "Unfortunately, the Government now allow children who are still toddler age into primary schools to be around pupils that have a hidden history of abusing 0-5's."

A statement on a technique used by Paul and Carl Arndale's dad is included in the paperwork.

In my opinion I would explain very clearly the situation from your perspective. I'd let both boys back to play but for a short time and to be honest I'd tell them I have put a baby monitor in the room where there is playing or the garden or whatever so I'll know exactly what's going on and there will be a recording of what's happening (and I would do it). Just like the driveway has a camera. I'd let boys come and do a supervised activity (everyone colouring in in the kitchen with you there) for half an hour. If they can manage that, next time it's playing for an hour with you popping in and out, and the camera set up, if they manage that, then I praise them and increase it.

"I would also be telling the police the same otherwise where does it stop? You can't dismiss it immediately because there are adults out there who will target children such as this because they know the chances are they won't be believed. Accusations still have to be investigated appropriately. As much for the adult involved as anything - a proper investigation clears a name much better than a 'oh well, that kid lies' does." said DS Ray Carling recalling a Protection Against False Allegations seminar from a couple of months ago "Your sister Tracy needs to take her head out of the sand and actually parent her own children instead of pawning their dangerous ass off on anyone that would have them." in his usual plain clothes and permed hairstyle.

"Tracy is totally responsible for these situations too because given her sons history and the fact they're compulsive dangerous liars, she should not be leaving them alone with other adults. One wrong word from them and your reputation and life, and that of your children, could be in ruins." DCI Sam Tyler added seriously in his expertise as Gene's younger Chief Inspector.

"I hug my autistic child suggest how horrid it is to feel whatever and we all feel a bit silly when it happens, but it's normal. Let's get you cleaned up and get an ice pack (if fallen) and watch a cartoon together until you get over the shock of a meltdown, it does give you a fright doesn't it? Any trouble she maintains verbally is ignored and she is shown love and compassion for the meltdown." said DCI Gene Hunt on how he manages an autistic fourteen year old daughter from Elaine Dowling Hunt's side of the family; being a full time parent carer since gaining full custody of her.

That's very true, but an awful lot of life-changing damage can be caused while an investigation's carried out and the default of believing that a victim's telling the truth can cause issues to stick.