Casting includes diverse officers such as Black characters Ch Supt Alex Okaro and DC Eva Sharpe (Diane Parish), DC Ramani DeCosta (South Asian heritage implied), reflecting a post-2002 revamp push for ethnic minorities to mirror 'modern policing.' Storylines address social issues like racial tensions (assaults on white and Asian youths, racism complaints against officers), domestic violence (including male victim PC Jim Carver), progressive drug policies (non-arrest for users sparking controversy), immigration/human trafficking, and paedophile rings. Producer Paul Marquess emphasized introducing ethnic diversity and gay relationships, following a 2002 gay kiss that drew complaints but was cleared. These elements integrate into crime procedurals and subplots without forming the core premise, which remains traditional police work, corruption exposés, and personal dramas, but they add significant ideological flavor amid the soap-opera serialization.