The Force

Series 1 | Episode 1 | The Force

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A woman's body, burned beyond all recognition, is discovered lying in a cornfield on an idyllic summer's day.

Two days into the case, Hampshire Constabulary know their victim has been strangled, her body carried in a suitcase to a field near a tiny Hampshire village, and then set alight; but not who she or who her killer is.

House-to-house inquiries unearth a witness who's seen a battered Vauxhall being driven slowly around the crime scene, the day before the killing. The offender profilers advise that whoever chose that lonely spot had done so because he knew the area, and a database search of car registrations throws up four names, one of them with a Hampshire bank account.

The chase is on, and as the case unfolds it presents an extraordinary snapshot of Britain in the 21st century - the passions and divisions hidden beneath the placid surface of middle England - and a unique insight into the fragility of modern policing.

On TV

First Shown

Date Time Channel
Tuesday 13 October 2009 9PM Channel 4

Last Shown

Date Time Channel
Sunday 01 November 2009 1.55AM More4

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  1. good to see a programme dealing with the increasingly common crime of false rape allegations made against innocent men and boys. rape is the worst social crime possible for a male, and men can be assaulted and even killed by other males if they are even accused. women that are found to have made false accusations of rape should themselves face lengthy prison sentences. programmes like this do not prevent genuine rape victims from coming forward, the women that falsley accuse (and there are many) are the reason why the police are doubtful. we need to educate our young girls that it is unacceptable to make false accusations. in any case, a false accusation of rape is a serious crime, just as serious as rape, and should be dealt with just as seriously.
    Posted by steveUK on 28/10/2009 00:24:50
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  2. I have just spotted it - is a very clever show and not a documentary. It cant be real police, if it is, i dont want to live in Hampshire...
    Posted by Fred on 27/10/2009 23:01:04
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  3. Excellent,interesting and informative. Really enjoyed it and kept us all glued to the TV. Looking forward to viewing more series. Well done!
    Posted by Ruthie on 22/10/2009 20:53:07
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  4. I watched with anticipation and was not disappointed. A very difficult job that was portrayed well by the unit. Enjoyed it immensely!
    Posted by Lucy on 21/10/2009 11:10:53
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  5. Really enjoyed the second episode, a really good insight into the Policing of sexual offences! Well done Channel4 loved it.
    Posted by Mark on 21/10/2009 00:03:11
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  6. Gripping stuff, a real change from the usual 'reality' crap that C4 has become infamous for. outstanding...unmissable!
    Posted by Hugh on 19/10/2009 22:33:45
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  7. Brilliant - one of the most fascinating programmes I've seen on TV. I missed it when it was broadcast but everyone in my local was raving about it so I watched in "on demand". I enjoy stuff like CSI but that is fiction - this is real. I was very impressed with the intelligence and dedication of the officers - great PR for the police force and it made me realise how lucky we are to have this quality of police personnel (and TV programmes) in the UK. Cab't wait for the next programme!
    Posted by Jan on 18/10/2009 15:25:13
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  8. An excellant piece of television. It is so easy to watch so many high class dramas depicting crime investigation but the opportunity to see how real life criminal investigations come together and to be led by the real life players explaining on camera the details of how the investigation builds and seeing and understanding how the law works to protect all which as seen in the episode can be frustrating to the police gives one confidence that there are safe guards to protect all and ensure that when a conviction is obtained it is the correct result. Thank you to Hampshire Police for being brave enough to allow us to see all at such close quarter. Your officers as shown are a credit to you as a police force.
    Posted by Lesley on 18/10/2009 14:19:46
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  9. Well done C4 for this excellent documentry and thank you to the victims family plus Hampshire for allowing C4 to broadcast this programme. The victims life was cut very short, but this documentry has (Speaking as a criminology student)helped to enspire and train future Police officers, which will help future victims and thier families to get justice.
    Posted by Anon on 18/10/2009 00:09:58
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  10. Fascinating, gripping and throughly inspiring. It shows what real police work is like. What a fabulous team of detectives from Hampshire, led by a dynamic and dedicated DCI Hogg. A job well done.
    Posted by jane on 17/10/2009 12:31:46
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  11. Possibly the best documentary I've ever seen. Well directed, sensitively handled without compromising the seriousness of the issues and generally fascinating. Need more like this.
    Posted by Cpt. Dangerous on 16/10/2009 16:41:57
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  12. Best documentary I've ever seen. Needless to say I will now never buy a Vauxhall car..
    Posted by Laura Norder on 16/10/2009 13:38:48
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  13. Excellent TV. Brilliantly filmed and edited. Can't wait to see the next episode!
    Posted by Glen Thomas on 16/10/2009 03:38:31
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  14. i think this program is good and i love it i think some stupied does some stupied stuff and never learn or think of others this is there chance to understand and take some idiea what can happen .x phantom
    Posted by phantom on 16/10/2009 03:06:16
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  15. what a fantastic series, absolutely disgusting what that guy did to that girl, totally haunting images watching him carry the poor girl oun in that suitcase. just goes to show that for all the flack the police do get for there short comings this defineetly goes to show the totally fantastic job they do under shocking personal tradgedies. good on ch4 for another cracking documentary style programme. 10/10
    Posted by geelad on 16/10/2009 02:22:40
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  16. Concur with all of the comments here, absolutely amazing documentary. Like Prime Suspect, only real case, real time, real Police work! Kudos to the team who made it, and to the Hampshire Constabulary for being so professional, and indeedd open minded enough to allow this sort of filming to take place.
    Posted by Andrew on 15/10/2009 22:33:17
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  17. bloody amazing police work. from one who hates the bureaucracy of the force. this gives back some respect to bear bellied white men.
    Posted by ben on 15/10/2009 19:25:33
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  18. This was the best TV I've seen in a long time, well done Channel 4 and hats off to Hampshire Constabulary! I was kept on the edge of my seat throughout, the 4pm arrest deadline had my stomach churning. Absolutely fantastic the adrenaline never stopped, thanks to the force for giving us this great insight into the solving of crimes. To the company that wouldn't help, which I won't give the credit of mentioning you ought to be ashamed. Looking forward to Friday for the next episode!
    Posted by Sharon on 15/10/2009 03:15:55
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  19. This was the best police documentry i have ever seen. I have recommended it to a few friends it was better than a movie! seeing the crime from start to finish was just great
    Posted by MARK on 15/10/2009 02:13:15
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  20. This was excellent! Best Cops show I have ever seen . No silly commentary. Just showed how it happened. Well done Channel 4. More like this please!
    Posted by Linda on 14/10/2009 21:14:09
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  21. This programme was the best television I've seen in years. Totally absorbing, a credit to the force and Channel 4. Thank you.
    Posted by Eileen on 14/10/2009 19:21:08
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  22. This programme was the best television I've seen in years. Totally absorbing, a credit to the force and Channel 4. Thank you.
    Posted by Eileen on 14/10/2009 19:20:35
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  23. This programme was the best television I've seen in years. Totally absorbing, a credit to the force and Channel 4. Thank you.
    Posted by Eileen on 14/10/2009 19:18:17
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  24. Absolutely gripping!! Fascinating!! I watched from start to finish on the edge of my seat. Although it was a gruesome situation the editing of this programme was fantastic. I've been recommending this to everyone. Please more documentaries like this on Channel 4 and not the mindless dull cr*p that is Big Brother, etc. The twists in this week's investiagation were gripping and it just shows you how much work these guys put in every day. Well done Ch4!! You've got a winner here!!!!
    Posted by PurpleVix on 14/10/2009 16:22:01
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  25. A brilliant programme and great PR for the police force, showing them as incredibly hard working and likeable, rather than the vicious thugs you hear about at the G20 demos etc. Great to see the real life version of all those murder mystery dramas - I'm really glad to see there are more to come.
    Posted by MW on 14/10/2009 16:07:16
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  26. Fantastic documentary, as a forensic science student I found this fascinating, its shown how every aspect of policing and forensic science that I have studied over the past three years can be drawn together to create an investigation, can't wait for the next episode!
    Posted by Abaddon on 14/10/2009 15:50:09
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  27. Brilliant programme, can't wait for the next one. Couldn't move through the whole thing, was very impressed!!
    Posted by JoM1 on 14/10/2009 13:37:17
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  28. Absolutely fantastic! A real insight into a thourough Police investigation. Showing both old fashioned Policing together with the modern forensic/ technical methods of investigation. It also went to prove that not everyone is willing to help the Police, even in such a horendous crime. I was rooted to my seat for the whole of this episode, more of the same please!
    Posted by BrianL on 14/10/2009 13:34:02
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  29. Amazing, had me on the edge of my seat all the way through!!! Fantastic, can't wait till the next episode.
    Posted by sam on 14/10/2009 12:58:58
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  30. Fantastic programme, great insight into real policing and refreshingly unique, we were totally gripped and are looking forward to the next episode policing at its best.
    Posted by VINCEY on 14/10/2009 12:37:35
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  31. Brilliant, brilliant programming. Thank you C4. I'm starting work at the Constabulary in the next few weeks and looking forward to working alongside some the officers shown in the film. Really looking forward to the next one. Thank you for providing me with very relevent job training before I've even strated.
    Posted by ANON on 14/10/2009 12:37:15
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  32. Fantastic. Suspenseful and made you feel you were in the room observing the detectives at work - Roll on next episode.
    Posted by rory on 14/10/2009 12:28:10
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  33. Great programme that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up!! How about that then?...a major car maker refusing to give the Police details on paint codes! Great TV, can't wait for the next one. A real breath of fresh air comparing it to of the usual 'reality rubbish' we see.
    Posted by Ian on 14/10/2009 12:06:03
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  34. I, too, loved this. Absolutely fascinating and gripping throughout. Excellent unbiased journalism. Superb stuff Channel 4. Can't wait for the next episode.
    Posted by Vicky on 14/10/2009 11:24:46
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  35. The office revisited but this time in the public sector!! Quite subtle at first but a few heavy handed give aways towards the end which a 5yr old would've spotted, entertaining nonetheless!
    Posted by teecee on 14/10/2009 10:30:10
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  36. Very interesting programme. I can't believe how unhelpful Vauxhall were. Unbelievable!
    Posted by Nick on 14/10/2009 10:28:45
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  37. A brilliant programme. Congratulations to the filmmakers and the Hampshire police. So much nicer that the usual documentaries on police work. I wont miss the next episode.
    Posted by judyr on 14/10/2009 10:15:17
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  38. This programme was amazing, was so good having an insight into how the police catch these people. Cant wait for the next episode.
    Posted by Sarah101 on 14/10/2009 10:13:47
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  39. What a brilliant programme! I was completley gripped the whole way through, a very good insight to how the police operate and the constraints they have to work to.
    Posted by C. Proctor on 14/10/2009 09:30:40
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  40. An absolute eye opener... about time there was a shift from those slick US fictional entertainment.. to our local authorities doing and fortunately us seeing how its done.. amazing..
    Posted by billy99one on 14/10/2009 02:17:17
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  41. Fantastic television, had me gripped throughout the show. Definitely will be watching again, cant wait for next week!
    Posted by D.Durant on 14/10/2009 00:30:28
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  42. Absolutely amazing! gripping the entire way through!
    Posted by a.kent on 13/10/2009 23:05:09
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Sunday 01 November

1.55AM, More4

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