The most high-profile exit was that of Sergeant Matt Boyden, whose death was part of a crossover with new spin-off series Murder Investigation Team.

This series saw the show celebrate its 20th anniversary on air with both a live episode and an episode featuring one of the show's most ambitious stunts to date, where PC Des Taviner is supposedly killed in an explosion in a gas tower after being exposed as the culprit of the Sun Hill fire, which claimed the lives of six officers back in April 2002.

This storyline also saw a guest stint by former DI Sally Johnson (Jaye Griffiths), who ultimately exposes Taviner and manages to bully DC Danny Glaze into tendering his resignation, in fear of his part in the plot to frame murder suspect Jeff Simpson being revealed.

For the live broadcast, a storyline was devised whereby DC Juliet Becker (Rae Baker) was held hostage in the back of a police van at knifepoint, being fatally stabbed as a result.

PC Jim Carver also had a major, long-term storyline, marrying victim of crime Marie Graham (Melanie Hill), later becoming subject to domestic violence.