Original title
Division 4
Released
3/11/1969
Origin country
AU
Genre
Crime, Drama
Production companies
Crawford Productions
Status
Ended
Number of seasons
8
Number of episodes
301
A police drama based on the fictional Melbourne suburb of Yarra Central.
Yarra Central police battle a crime wave of thuggery, hold-ups and the theft of $20,000 worth of goods by a mystery gang. Investigations reveal the culprits as 'The Soldiers', a re-united former teenage gang whose members have just finished serving jail terms. Sen. Det. Banner's pregnant wife, Joy, dies during premature child-birth brought on after being terrorised by a member of the gang.
Yarra Central police are confronted with a series of reports about a bad detective. Their investigations lead to an impostor, a former policeman, who is blackmailing a solid citizen caught in the office secretary trap, belting people around with unrestrained sadism, and leading two romantic lives.
19-year-old Kay Dixon is attracted by the glamorous life of big-spending racketeer Max Foley, who tries to set up a floating cabaret. Kay finds herself in the ugly world of prostitution, exploitation and violence with no apparent way out. Police investigate Foley when a criminal associate of his is bashed.
Three salesmen from a country town decide on a night out after attending a Melbourne convention. For two of the three, the night turns into a disaster when they become involved with a truck driver who is the apparent victim of a robbery and two girls who 'roll' unsuspecting males.
A little Italian girl is missing. While investigating her disappearance, Yarra Central police discover a kidnapping, a burglary, an alcoholic mother, and an attempted suicide.
A city night club serves as a front for vice and crime. As Yarra Central police investigate a number of seemingly unrelated matters, they uncover alarming facts about one of the district's most respected citizens.
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day with rather more enthusiasm than caution, the O'Connell family decides to start its own crime wave in the district, resulting in a sequence of events which causes a lot of hard work for the Yarra Central police.
Pop singer John Noble, whose popularity has slumped, is too proud to take ordinary work. When he starts chasing easy money to maintain his lifestyle he becomes involved with drugs and the police of Yarra Central.
A deserted wife, Irene Kemp, successfully raises her daughter Thea by running a sly grog house, but when she becomes involved in robbery and blackmail the whole structure of her life is threatened.
An expert safe cracker comes out of prison to find his younger brother eager to follow in his footsteps. These two, plus a shifty billiards-room proprietor with a fondness for stolen property pose problems for Sen. Det. Banner.
A con-man is troubling the police of Yarra Central, but when the search for him begins, Sen. Det. Banner cannot foresee the serious consequences for an old man and his daughter.
Det. Sgt. Vicker's son Jamie becomes caught in the activities of some demonstrators who attack a policeman. Jamie is innocent of complicity, but he is unwilling to inform about the offenders to his father. Jamie finds himself in a difficult position - between Vickers and his son lie the years that separate the generations and brought new attitudes and values. A group of car thieves operating in the area complicates matters for the police, in particular for Det. Peters.
A little girl fails to arrive at school one morning, a factory worker lies about his reasons for being late for work, and the Yarra Central police probe a case which may end in murder.
A down-and-out ex-test cricketer, whose days of glory are long gone, is given an opportunity to make a comeback. Police are concerned when his son is connected to a pornography racket.
An Hungarian architect finds himself working as a quarry labourer after settling in Australia. An argument with his foreman sparks off a crisis in his life and a major emergency for the police of Yarra Central.
A neglected child is taken from a woman involved with payroll bandits. Their attempt to steal a firm's payroll uncovers a secret held by an employee of the company.
Yarra Central police are faced with unexpected obstacles when they investigate a fatal hit-and-run accident.
A merchant seaman jumps ship and becomes the only witness to a 'smash-and-grab' raid. Because of personal problems he refuses to identify the criminals, who then carry out other violent crimes.
Investigating an apparently routine case of child neglect, WPC Margaret Stewart stumbles into the nightmare world of schizophrenic Janie Mitchell. Every ounce of Margaret's training, human understanding and bravery is called upon in her desperate struggle to save the life of a baby that Janie has abducted.
A released prisoner with a violent criminal record has two scores to settle, one with his unfaithful wife and the other with Sen. Det. Banner.
An interstate gang launches a campaign of terror in an attempt to takeover local crime. Kenny Kent, a professional burglar, stands up to them alone, and in so doing he unwittingly gives the police their chance to smash the gang.
When detectives first come across the mysterious Faith Cameron, they suspect she is a call girl, then it seems she could be passing dud cheques. But what is she really up to? Police then link Faith to a jewel thief who switched a paste reproduction for an expensive ring before crashing his getaway car.
The death of a call girl helps Yarra Central police in the investigation of a robbery apparently committed by the trusted employee of a finance company.
Lesley Fisher is a hardened criminal who specialises in planning robberies, and has returned to Melbourne from Adelaide with a respectable front. With his two accomplices he plans a robbery being careful not to be involved in its execution. He escapes capture by informing on his two henchmen, and detectives fail to find any hard evidence against the shrewd gang leader.
Nature had not dealt kindly with Little Willie. In his stunted body, half the size of normal men, is packed all the emotions of others about him. The strange affection that grows between Willie and a woman criminal leads him to the half-world of robbery, violence and eventually death.
When Dave Smyth leaves the wharves to join the police force, his father accuses him of becoming a 'lackey of the capitalist classes'. Dave's loyalties are soon put to the test, and the resulting conflict brings trouble for himself and his colleagues at Yarra Central.
The wayward son of a wealthy man is told that he will have to make his own way in the world. He responds by going into business as a thief. Executing a warehouse robbery, he seems to have been successful until he has to dispose of the goods.
Policewoman Margaret Stewart tries to help a young woman who is emotionally disturbed as a result of being criminally assaulted by a prowler, and has received no understanding from her boyfriend.
Ricky Peel escapes from jail and, with the help of some criminal associates, threatens a private detective. Sen. Det. Banner is reunited with a girl he once loved who has returned to Melbourne.
A man who has publicly criticised the Yarra Central police is charged with an offence. He then alleges that one of the detectives has bribed a key witness in the case.
Sgt. Macleod is offered a well paid job back in Scotland. He is considering the offer when Vickers asks him to stand in for a bank manager in a police trap for a group of vicious bank robbers.
Life for Vic Tomasetti is hard, frustrating and lightened only by the love of his retarded daughter, Lisa, a girl totally misunderstood by her stepmother and others. Her testimony about the shooting of a policeman is not believed due to the contrary evidence given by adults.
Rod Irving, just released from prison, is confronted by Ike Vaughan, the criminal who helped put him there. Rod wants to go straight, but Vaughan tries to involve him in crime, and has already caused his wife Belle to become a drug addict.
Vince Perry thinks his jokes are funny, but he cannot see that they often cause a great deal of trouble and distress. Yarra Central police are not amused when they find he has returned to the area.
Tim Gardner has had all the advantages; rich parents, good school, the lot. But he has chosen a life of crime. His young wife, Meg, does not suspect him but things soon get complicated when a former accomplice targets Gardner's operations.
An assault between two girls on a street leads to the Yarra Central police unravelling a tangled web when a middle-aged businessman becomes involved with a girl younger than his own daughter.
Two young baby-sitters throw a party in a rich client's home. They strike trouble, but in doing so they give the Yarra Central police a new line of inquiry into a puzzling series of jewel thefts.
Master criminal Lesley Fisher becomes involved in a vicious underworld vendetta. Police investigations lead to a surprising result.
Ray Hubbard is studying to get through university, but when his girlfriend becomes pregnant the only solution seems to be an abortion. When things don't go as planned, the Yarra Central police find themselves investigating a con-man, a robbery and a backyard abortionist.
Two men and a woman comprise a gang of thieves stealing cash from retailers in the fruit and vegetable trade. Yarra Central police find their investigations made difficult by changes in tactics of the gang responsible.
A night club comedian faces a personal crisis when his broken marriage catches up with him after 14 years in the shape of his 18-year-old daughter. Yarra Central police help sort it out while investigating a call-girl racket and a large liquor theft.
Some attitudes towards Aboriginals are re-evaluated when 'Lefty' Cooper, an Aboriginal contender for the lightweight boxing championship, becomes the target for a crooked bookmaker who stands to lose a great deal of money if 'Lefty' wins the fight.
The Yarra Central police are faced with an outbreak of well-planned thefts with no recovery of the stolen goods. Third-rate thieves commit skilful offences under the instructions of a master-mind of unknown identity, referred to as 'Mr. Fifty Percent'.
A confidence trickster tells the Yarra Central police that a young English migrant is planning a bank robbery. The plight of an elderly lady complicates the situation.
Doreen Walsh, wife of a former detective, claims that she has been attacked and raped by three men. During investigations, Sen. Det. Banner and Det. Sgt. Vickers uncover an unusual story.
Herb Doherty, who has a string of minor convictions to his name and is known as a trouble-maker, witnesses a smash-and-grab raid. He also falls in love with Policewoman Margaret Stewart.
A cruel swindle is played on the local Italian community, and the police investigation impacts on a domestic crisis with Sgt. Vickers and his student son Jamie.
Yarra Central police launch an intensive search when Constable Kevin Dwyer disappears while pursuing a car following a series of baffling robberies.
During an investigation into the violent and apparently senseless desecration of a Catholic church, Yarra Central police track down a young man who has become embittered towards religion, mainly as a result of a 'fire and brimstone' indoctrination as a child. They are assisted on the case by a highly unconventional priest.
Mrs. Maguire is a successful business woman and charity worker. However, a street accident leads to a complex investigation into the truth about Mrs. Maguire and her daughter.
While investigating three assaults on a young girl, Yarra Central police are faced with several other problems, including the disappearance of a small-time criminal wanted for questioning and the defiant attitude of a stubborn old lady.
Alf Clark and his pregnant wife Jill are in partnership with her idealistic brother in a counterfeiting racket. Problems occur when they become involved with petty criminal Ted Jamieson.
A local art festival uncovers a raft of problems for the police of Yarra Central. At the centre of the trouble is Arthur Deakin; a poet, an alcoholic and a house-breaker.
A man becomes rebellious when questioned about his driving, taking a stand on principle against what he sees as an injustice. The Yarra Central police become the centre of attention when newspapers get hold of the story and run with it.
Investigations into a series of safe breakings uncover an unexpected romantic but illegal entanglement when police discover a man with two wives.
Yarra Central police contend with a bank hold-up and a bizarre confidence trick involving the freezing of dead bodies. Suspicion for both crimes centres on the much loved son of a family.
While serving a short sentence for theft, young and impressionable Malcolm Tanner formed a hero-worshipping friendship with his tough, ruthless cellmate Ernie Callan. After serving his sentence, Tanner is overjoyed when Callan offers to come and live with Tanner and his family while continuing his life of crime. However, joy turns to tragedy when it is learned that the police are hunting his mate, not only because of his criminal activities, but because he is a carrier of a deadly strain of smallpox.
Yarra Central police face a crime following a 20-year-old pattern. Investigations lead them to master criminal 'Chalky' Gunnerson, who is a clever chess player and plans his moves against the police with care and precision. Also involved are his daughter Vivienne and a rather brash young apprentice, Ricky Bevan.
John Anderson, a neurotic young camera enthusiast, unwittingly becomes a key figure in a police search for a couple of jewel thieves.
Yarra Central police investigate threatening letters and attempts to injure a leading professional jockey.
A young girl, Tina Findlay, is caught shoplifting, and Policewoman Margaret Stewart probes her background to find a reason why. Trying to help Tina proves difficult and unrewarding when she becomes mixed-up with hardened criminal Max Gillies.
Yarra Central police, who rely heavily on radio communication with D-24, face problems when two criminals steal a police radio.
An American migrant woman who is homesick has a breakdown and becomes dangerously violent. The plight of her family is worsened when the son becomes involved in a series of service station robberies.
While on holidays, Det. Peters gets married in rather rushed circumstances - he was tricked into the marriage by a pregnancy claim. Then, when a prisoner dies in the Yarra Central lock-up, Det. Peters goes through the most trying experience of his life when he is held directly responsible.
Feelings of hatred and fear run high in the Yarra Central district when a number of young children are molested by an unknown man. Policewoman Margaret Stewart receives her promotion to Senior Constable.
Persistence by Const. Dwyer in checking details following a minor car accident leads the Yarra Central police on to the trail of one of the world's most notorious international robberies.
While investigating a series of daring robberies, Yarra Central police are confronted with some surprising characters - a pop singer; a hotel manager; two very 'quaint' furniture dealers; and a swinging, headstrong glamour girl.
Sen. Det. Banner and the Yarra Central police face death when they investigate a seemingly minor complaint about the behaviour of Les Monaghan, who is living in a fantasy world in which he sees himself as a soldier hero.
Ex-criminal Sam Breen returns to Melbourne with a small fortune in opals that he mined at Lightning Ridge. When the opals are stolen he sets out after the two thieves, intent on obtaining his own justice.
Yarra Central police receive a series of false tips about a planned city payroll robbery, while also dealing with Hayden Beck, an ex-racing car driver with a chip on his shoulder. When a payroll robbery is actually committed, it soon becomes apparent that Beck had been recruited to drive the getaway car.
Police keep watch on a group of criminals planning a daring and unusual robbery but they disappear when the robbery is imminent. WPC Stewart gets little help investigating a quack doctor who is treating the girlfriend of one of the criminals.
Daniel Castle, a timid Englishman, leaves his domineering wife Elizabeth and the shop they own in London, taking money from their joint bank account. Elizabeth pursues him to Australia and discovers he has lost most of the money to two con-men.
Bob 'Smiler' Suttle is a 40-year-old policeman and is still a constable. His resentment leaves him open to a bribery attempt when a criminal tempts him with a scheme that could help him gain a promotion.
A husband and wife’s drunken brawl, Banner's search for a man who mutilated a prostitute, and a young boy who wanders into Yarra Central make this Wednesday anything but the usual quiet night.
Yarra Central police contend with a professional burglar operating in their district who is proving to be most elusive. Constable Kevin Dwyer marries his girlfriend Kay Hogan.
Constable George Bell, an enthusiastic new recruit, tests the patience of his colleagues with his habit of rushing into things without thinking.
Policewoman Stewart tries to apprehend a bag-snatcher and is helped by a man who identifies himself as Larry Webster, an American FBI agent. He is later exposed as a confidence trickster.
A vicious assault on a prostitute leads Yarra Central detectives into an investigation of prostitution in the district, and to a mysterious Mr. Frost who is not what he seems.
Trevor Clark is suspected of being a 'Peeping Tom' when he is rejected by his girlfriend. Investigating the case, Yarra Central police are confronted by a weird religious sect.
A young girl and her separated parents become the victims when an overbearing mother-in-law takes their affairs into her own hands and hires a private detective.
Yarra Central police have to deal with a mysterious shop breaker and a lonely widower. Det. Peters' police duties are affected by events in his private life when his marriage is on the rocks.
A man who has always lived in the bush visits the city and takes strong exception to the vice he considers is prevalent in city life. His subsequent actions unleash a campaign of terror.
Will 'Duff-Duff' Duffy, a clown who specialises in trick falls, and Hugo Smith, a criminal with a child-like personality, have never met, but their stories become intertwined when Yarra Central police investigate a robbery, a suicide and extortion.
An investigation into homosexual activity in Yarra Central leads to the discovery of a number of unusual burglaries.
Yarra Central police investigate a payroll robbery with some very unusual features that almost has them stumped.
A young country girl tries to set herself up as a prostitute in the city. She falls prey to a vice operator who sets up 'witchcraft' sessions for his clients.
Police at Yarra Central become involved in a robbery and an illicit stills racket, and all their investigations take them to the notorious O'Connell family.
While dealing with a teenage shoplifter, Policewoman Stewart experiences a frightening ordeal when they are held by a dangerous escapee from a mental institution.
A woman's anti-pollution campaign against a manufacturing company helps to uncover theft and corruption within the firm.
Yarra Central police investigate a feud between rival tow-truck services which threatens to erupt into violence.
A tough stand-over group runs a prostitution racket utilising drugs and abduction. Policewoman Margaret Stewart finds herself in difficulties while undercover posing as a prostitute to crush the racket.
Lisa Clark, a doctor's wife, becomes an addict after her husband introduces her to drugs. Investigating a house breaking, police find that a youth, like too many of his age, has become trapped on a road of no return through drug usage.
A young constable is savagely attacked and seriously injured by five youths. The Yarra Central police put on a 'command performance' act to extract the truth from the suspects.
Investigations into the theft of valuable but difficult to unload electronic equipment result in Yarra Central detectives investigating a highly organised betting syndicate.
Con-man Jimmy Harrison and his girlfriend turn to burglary, which spells disaster for his two young accomplices and an elderly fence.
When the driver of an interstate gang is arrested, Yarra Central police see their chance to smash the racket by having Det. Peters acting undercover as his replacement.
Two men of short stature - one a notorious criminal who exploits his build to his own advantage, the other a young misfit who resents his size - cause trouble for the Yarra Central police.
Det. Sgt. Vickers believes that Sen. Det. Banner's personal feelings may have impaired his judgement when Banner makes an all out effort to nail Eddie Parrish, a former policeman who has used his police know-how to muscle in on various rackets.
When radio talk-back announcer John Drew draws attention to a gang of car thieves operating in Yarra Central, his wife is threatened.
While police investigate a series of armed robberies, a young accountant tries to help his wife by giving police wrong information and is eventually blackmailed.
Yarra Central detectives investigate a brutal assault after John Kelso, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence, is paroled after 25 years.
Blind barrister Jessica Reynolds is persecuted by an unknown intruder.
An escaped convict goes into hiding in Yarra Central, holding a young girl as hostage.
The search for the missing son of an important local man reveals a strange psychotic personality.
Yarra Central police face a difficult task when the victim of a vicious assault is reluctant to give information against a gang of predators.
A bomb explodes in Yarra Central. Suspicion narrows down to a maniac who has escaped from jail, a thief, and a layabout protester. All have reason to seek revenge against the police, especially Det. Banner.
A young university student reports to police that she has been raped. A young man is charged, then additional information and the probing by the man's defence counsel creates doubts as to the truth of her story. Policewoman Margaret Stewart finds a romantic interest in the police doctor, Robert Whitfield.
An overworked detective, Barry Maguire, is transferred to Yarra Central on temporary duty and tries too hard to convict a criminal, with disastrous results.
A young man's bucks party is raided when the best man introduces a pornographic film to the festivities. When Yarra Central police investigate they uncover a world of vice and blackmail.
Leo Morrison escapes from prison to prevent his girlfriend marrying someone else, but his plans undergo a change when he picks up a girl hitch-hiker with decidedly unusual views.
Police investigate an attempted murder complaint and discover that a middle-aged veterinary surgeon has bigamously married several women.
A shop break-in interrupted by Const. Dwyer leads to a serious family altercation involving the police.
As Yarra Central police tighten the net around a man wanted for savagely attacking several women, Policewomen Diane Webster and Margaret Stewart volunteer to act as 'live bait' to trap the man.
A writer of threatening letters, a stand over merchant and the widow of an old wartime mate cause problems for Det. Sgt. Vickers.
Charlie Clarke turns to safe blowing to raise money after having his marriage proposal refused by his lady friend. Matters become complicated when some explosives go missing.
Attacks on women in a Yarra Central street upset neighbourhood relations, and the prime suspect is a man recently released from psychiatric care. Kevin Dwyer receives his long-awaited promotion to Senior Constable.
A family of criminals discover that Arthur Mitchell mints his own coins to supplement his pension. To muscle in on the racket, they kidnap his wife to force his co-operation.
Two amiable swindlers cause Yarra Central police chaos with a series of clever con tricks.
Det. Peters is having some personal problems due to his impending divorce, and the Yarra Central police have to investigate an allegation that he is being bribed.
Det. Peters, concerned about his divorce, decides to resign from the force. He then meets up with Denis Marshall, an alcoholic whose own marriage is threatened. Peters tries to help Denis, and discovers his own domestic situation is not as bad as he thought.
Carol Hayes is prepared to break the law in order to keep 7-year-old Ronnie whom she has been caring for. The child belongs to the Turners, and Jean Turner wants him back because her husband Mike is being released from jail.
A series of expert safe breakings leads the Yarra Central detectives into an industrial espionage plot.
Sgt. Scotty Macleod is looking forward to Christmas until he encounters a drunk-driving accident for which he feels partly to blame.
While investigating the background of a young man involved in a car crash, Det. Banner comes across clues indicating that he was involved in an illegal racket.
Const. George Bell returns to Yarra Central for another spell of temporary duty, and once again his enthusiasm and eagerness turns the station upside down.
A European paymaster is implicated in a payroll robbery, with tragic results. The Yarra Central police find that prejudice against immigrants in the district can affect their investigations.
Jim O'Brien is released on parole after serving 18 months of a long jail term. His homecoming is marred by treachery and a faithless wife.
Constable Dwyer attempts to establish a youth club for delinquent kids, and becomes involved with the theft of some power tools, a cop with a chip on his shoulder, and a tough old matriarch named Porky.
Police informer Sammy Goodall finds his life is threatened by criminal associates in the Melbourne underworld.
The local newspaper and the Yarra Central police become involved when a wealthy woman, the wife of a successful business man, steals jewellery from a shop.
A prison officer is reported missing. He is later found unconscious but unharmed, and police investigate a possible case of revenge or blackmail by ex-prisoners.
Constable Dwyer orders Barry Ward, a young owner-driver, to have his truck made roadworthy within five days. But when Barry finds he cannot pay for the repairs he is drawn into crime.
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