CLASSIC crime fighters

How many of these sleuth series had you on the edge of your seat?

- CHRISTABEL SMITH

Who doesn't love a good TV police drama? Back in the 50s, 60s and 70s, we had plenty of criminal chasing national treasures, and adopted a few from the US too. There were no smartphones or computers to get in the way of a plot. Instead, we had police officers with a hunch, screeching cars, snappy dialogue, cigarette smoke hanging in the air and an iconic theme tune (plus the odd dubious hairdo!).

Z-Cars

Such was the popularity of the show when it launched in 1962, the theme tune reached number two in the pop charts. Set in fictional Newtown, Lancashire, it showed police in Ford Zephyrs dealing with local crimes, as well as their own domestic dramas.

It also spawned two more famous police dramas. Firstly, DCI Charles Barlow (Stratford Johns) and DI John Watt (Frank Windsor) relocated to the Bristol area for Softly Softly, which ended in 1969 to coincide with BBC1's move to colour broadcasting. Then, the pair relocated again to south-east England for Softly Softly: Task Force, which itself lasted for eight series.

THE SWEENEY