Constable Nicholas Angel is an over-achieving officer of the London Metropolitan Police Service, whose arrest record is 400% higher than average. His jealous colleagues arrange for him to be "promoted" to work as a Sergeant — in the village of Sandford, Gloucestershire, a crime-free idyll and regular winner of 'Village of the Year' award, that is watched over by the Neighbourhood Watch. Angel is frustrated to find the local police service lazy and complacent. His new partner is PC Danny Butterman, a fan of action film and buddy cop films and son of Inspector Frank Butterman, Angel's new superior. The two work together to unravel a mystery surrounding a string of murders in town.