Thursday 27 March 2008 8:00pm - 9:00pm on ITV1.

Paedophile Graham Rixton (Nick Waring) is questioned about an internet network he has been found on by DS Max Carter (Christopher Fox) and DC Terry Perkins (Bruce Byron), with Superintendents John Heaton (Daniel Flynn) and Tom Faraday (John Bowe) watching from a viewing room. The network has announced that a young boy, later identified as Simon Thomas, will be abused live on the internet that evening. Faraday explains that in order to save Simon, they need to find out who is running the network.

Back at the CEOP unit, DC Grace Dasari (Amita Dhiri) wonders how DI Phil Ashley (Paul Loughran) copes with the job after she is given the disturbing task of examining photographic evidence.

Back at the station, the officers discover where the network administrator is based and rush to the address only to find the house empty. Realising that the suspect is working on a wireless network, DS Stuart Turner (Doug Rao), along with Terry and Faraday chase after a van that has suddenly driven away and are shocked to find known sex offender Peter Williams (David Schofield) in the driving seat with a laptop.

Back at the station, and aware that time is rapidly running out for Simon, Terry interviews Williams for the second time. After a frustrating interview they head to Williams’ house, where the DC is determined to find clues to the whereabouts of the missing boy. As Terry searches, Williams antagonises him to the point where Terry knees him in the groin. Williams is taken back to the station while Terry continues to search, knowing that he must be close. He finally finds the evidence he needs and after cracking the code, Grace and Phil are able to give Sun Hill officers the address where Simon is - but with minutes to spare. Have the officers left it too late?

The Bill is a talkbackTHAMES production and a direct commission by ITV. This episode was written by Chris Ould, directed by Paul Wroblewski and produced by Sylvie Boden.