Softly Softly Task Force

Season 5

Softly, Softly: Task Force is a police based drama series which ran on BBC 1 from 1969 to 1976. It was a revamp of Softly, Softly, itself a spin-off from Z-Cars. The change was made partly to coincide with the coming of colour broadcasting to the BBC's main channel BBC1. The programme was due to be called simply Task Force, but reluctant to sacrifice a much-loved brand the BBC compromised this so it became Softly, Softly: Task Force.

Where to Watch Season 5

18 Episodes

Errors
E1
ErrorsUnlikely drug mule, Ann Barclay is arrested at local pub. With long jail term likely, Watt and Hawkins start exert some pressure.
Signed Off
E2
Signed OffPC Felly is badly beaten after discovering a robbery in progress. Unfortunately for him it takes several hours for police to discover something is wrong.
A Quiet Man
E3
A Quiet ManBusinessman Jack Hodder escapes with his life following bomb attack on his home. Watt and Hawkins suspect he is planning to take revenge after refusing treatment.
No Way
E4
No WayWatt, Hawkins and Evans come from a protection unit and straight into a bank robbery in Thamesford. Hawkins wounds one robber but John Watt is taken hostage.
No Life for a Woman
E5
No Life for a WomanAn unidentified body of a woman is pulled from the canal. Sgt Evans and PC Snow have to chase down all the missing person reports from the last twelve months.
Twenty-Seven Pieces of Porcelain
E6
Twenty-Seven Pieces of PorcelainWatt and Hawkins head to Deauville, France to track down Clive Hornsby-Hyatt, a middle man who has orchestrated a string of antique robberies on country houses
Night-Watch
E7
Night-WatchSgt Evans gets a tip that a filling station attendant will be shot for revenge and it made to look like an accident. A pair of low level thieves hit the jackpot when they steal 1500 watches.
Catch as Catch Can
E8
Catch as Catch CanHarry Hawkins has put together "Operation Ratcatcher" to arrest a number of local big wigs who are involved in a conspiracy which they benefited from council contracts.
The Loudmouth
E9
The LoudmouthA tip off about serial criminal Billy Mason puts PC Snow undercover at a casino. Snow makes contact with him about a possible deal only for Mason to be murdered.
Interrogation
E10
InterrogationA jeweller's shop is robbed and a shot is fired at a bystander. Two suspects are arrested who both deny all charges. Gradually the police breaks down the suspects' resistance and one of them makes a full confession, implicating the other.
Slip of the Tongue
E11
Slip of the TongueTwo professional criminals break into a canning factory but take along petty thief Terry Johnson. When the three are arrested Johnson only gets probation which makes Hawkins suspicious.
Trial
E12
TrialHawkins and Snow are to due give evidence in Herbert Andrews robbery trial. Much of the case resolves around forensic evidence so Andrews counsel is out to discredit the pair.
Skipper's Walk
E13
Skipper's WalkHarry Hawkins receives allegations that Sgt Jack Stirling is having an affair Jean Buxton, who's husband Tony he put behind bars. Hawkins and Watt decide to do some low key investigating first.
Cover
E14
CoverJarman's barn is burned to the ground with arson suspected. When they start paying big money for a new structure to be built, Sgt Evans is sent undercover. He quickly spots the Thornley's planning something with villain Johnny Drew.
Observation
E15
ObservationHawkins is tipped off that armed robber Dave Riley is in the Kingley area following a break out of jail. Watching from a nearby flat Riley is with several accomplices and appears to be planning another armed robbery.
Trouble-Maker
E16
Trouble-MakerTask Force aid a drug bust at a house containing mainly black tenants causing a lot of bad publicity from Fordyce, a black activist lawyer. In a bid to counter claims against police, John Watt is told thoroughly investigate.
The Raider
E17
The RaiderA post office van is raided by six men who steal £50,000. Only hired muscled Danny Darby is arrested after using a gun. Darby eventually gives up the name of escaped villain Johnny Warren but he has not been seen for two years.
Victim
E18
VictimChief Constable Cullen receives a threatening letter about prisoner David Bridie being persecuted again. Evans and Knowles are currently taking Bridie, via train, to London and need to get him to give up the letter writer.