Inspector Jean Darblay gets into bother with the rebellious youths in her patch. They keep damaging her car each time she attends the magistrate court.
A young teenager called Arlene comes into Darblay's attention. Her mother tells the police that Arlene has stole from her.
It is obvious that she has escaped from an unhappy household. Her mother's boyfriend is abusive. Arlene's own boyfriend is in trouble with the law. His mates are even worse having robbed an old woman and sent her to hospital.
Things do not look too bright for rebellious Arlene. Darblay tries to help but no one is thankful for her efforts especially as Arlene's boyfriend gets the short sharp shock treatment.
The episode touches on the hopelessness affecting teenagers in the early 1980s. Rampant youth unemployment, dysfunctional families and the Conservative government's approach to young offenders.