DC Terry Perkins   played by Bruce Byron

First appearance    # 165 (12/11/03)

After transferring from Barton Street, DC Terry Perkins initially arrived at Sun Hill as the SORO (Sex Offender Register Officer). He was very good at the job and used his innate ability to work people out to great effect in his police work as well as with his colleagues. Terry then wanted a change of pace and moved into CID. With bags of instinct and years of experience under his belt, he's quickly become an asset to the department, though his sense of seniority sometimes proves problematic, given his rank; he’s sure-footed and self-reliant enough to act alone, and he won’t take orders from someone whom he doesn’t respect.

Terry's a blokey bloke with a no nonsense attitude, the sort you'd like to have behind you if things kicked off. And while it might take a lot to rile him, once he loses his temper, he really blows - and then he's fine again. He doesn't sulk or hold grudges but you wouldn't want to make him angry. Terry's normally prepared to go with the flow and let his actions do the talking, but if he thinks someone's got a problem with him he's not too frightened to challenge them - if he thinks they're worth it. Most of the time he'll let people dig their own graves and will carry on regardless. He's not really bothered about what people think and tends to take the sting out of other people's stress and anger by cracking a joke.

Terry comes from a fairly rough and ready family and in his teens was part of the local football hooligan scene, before deciding to go on the straight and narrow. We soon discovered that this change of heart was in part due to the sexual abuse Terry suffered at the hands of a family friend at the tender age of 9 years old. It goes a lot towards explaining the grit determinism he displays whilst on the job. Terry is passionate about football and is an avid Millwall supporter. He still plays the odd Sunday game, he likes the camaraderie and the pints after the match, he's not so keen on running about after the ball but is tough in the tackle…