The Sweeney is a branch of the Metropolitan Police specialising in handling robbery, a 1970s television police drama focusing on two members of the Flying Squad and violent crime in London. The programme's title stems from Sweeney Todd, that can be Cockney rhyming slang for"Flying Squad". Thames Television's film branch taken entirely on 16mm film the plan. It aired on ITV between two January 1975 and 28 December 1978 in the weekday slot together using showings at the identical time prior to the 1980s. It starred John Thaw as Detective Inspector Jack Regan, and Dennis Waterman as his partner Detective Sergeant George Carter. Such has been its popularity at the UK that it spawned two theatrically released feature film spinoffs! and Sweeney 2. The series aired throughout a period to the Flying Squad that was real life. From the late 1970sthe Flying Squad was censured for being included in police corruption, bribery and connections with the fraternity. Unlike the high standards seen in the literary Sweeney, the actual commander of the Flying Squad, Detective Chief Superintendent Kenneth Drury was convicted of five counts of corruption and jailed for eight years on 7 July 1977. An internal evaluation, called Operation Countryman, was launched to pinpoint out corruption. A further 12 officers were detained and others resigned.