Hunted UK

C4’s hit factual thriller returns for a third season as nine British citizens turn fugitive and go on the run. Following a dramatic launch and helicopter chase in Manchester, the fugitives are pursued across the UK by an elite team of hunters, drawn from some of the world’s best investigators and led by former Scotland Yard detective, Chief Peter Bleksley. The stakes are high; if the fugitives can evade capture for 25 days they will win a share of £100,000. But they're up against a formidable force of 30 hunters equipped with the latest in ANPR technology, search dogs, drones and helicopters. The fugitives include former police firearms officer Jamie Clark, father and son team Bob and Alex Ayling, and retired college tutor Carlene Crowe. As the fugitives escape the net in Manchester the hunters are in hot pursuit and within hours they must organize a dramatic sting on the streets of London.

One fugitive down and spirits are high in HQ. Chief Peter Bleksley and his team have tracked down Bob and Alex Ayling to a remote church in Cheshire. With the drone up and the ground hunters at their heels, things look bleak for the father and son fugitives. The hunters regard fugitive Jamie Clark, a former police firearms officer, as their number one target. When he withdraws money from an ATM in Ramsbottom they are immediately alerted to his whereabouts and with Hunters in the local area a pursuit is under way within seconds. Self-confessed ‘city girls’ Sandra and Mella have reached Scotland where they plan to stay with Sandra’s Uncle but when he informs them that Sandra’s home has been searched by the hunters they realize they need to change their strategy. The hunters quickly find their location and come up with a clever plan to use a Ghost Agent to catch the pair.

As the halfway mark approaches the pressure is on. Chief Peter Bleksley and his team have caught three fugitives but six remain at large. The hunters have their arch nemesis Jamie Clark in their sights but can this former police firearms officer give the hunters the slip. So far, father and son duo, Bob and Alex Ayling, have been using Bob’s Freemason network to evade capture. But when The Chief mounts a campaign to crack the secretive organisation word gets back to the fugitives, and as the hunters close in they are faced with making a game changing decision. Magid Mah, Deputy Lord Mayor of Sheffield, has riled the hunters through a series of cheeky taunts. Believing he’s operating below the radar Magid gets a rude awakening when his accomplice spots one of the hunters outside his safe house, sending them all on a chase across the Peak District.

Four fugitives down, five to go. Fugitive Magid Mar is attempting to lose the Hunters as they pursue him across the Peak District. Unable to shake them from his rearview mirror Magid is forced to make a daring move in a desperate attempt to avoid capture. Father and son team, Bob and Alex Ayling, are spending their first few days on the run apart from one another. Missing his mother, Alex has arranged a daring rendezvous to see her while living on the run is taking its toll on Bob who is becoming increasingly paranoid, believing the hunters could be round every corner. The hunters work out Dan and Joe’s weak spot and mount a cunning plan to flush them out, but the milkmen have plans of their own to taunt the hunters and execute a high-risk move that jeopardizes their chances of winning a share of the £100,000 prize.

Singing duo, Dan and Joe, are live-streaming their gig to HQ from a pub near Preston unaware the Hunters are just moments away. With just a few days to go until the fugitives’ attempt their escape, the clock is ticking for the Hunters who are intent on a last-minute capture. From launching a focused social media campaign, scouring CCTV, using dogs, drones and helicopters, Chief Bleksley and his team are leaving nothing to chance. Time on the run is taking its toll on Bob whose position is telephoned into HQ by a member of the public. An injury on his knee forces him to stop, leaving him vulnerable to the circling Hunters. His son, Alex, is spotted on CCTV throwing away a piece of paper containing the details of the fugitives’ escape plan. If the Hunters can retrieve it they will be able to stop all fugitives from making an escape and winning the £100,000 prize. Will this be the time the Hunters get a clean sweep?