The fourth in the Carry On series is the first to feature the excellent Sid James, who stars here as the sergeant detailed to wet nurse rookies Kenneth Williams, Leslie Phillips, Charles Hawtrey and Kenneth Connor. Having studied the policeman's lot at Slough, screenwriter Norman Hudis confessed he could find nothing funny about pounding the beat, but he still turned in a chucklesome script. The bungling bobbies have their moments, notably when Williams and Hawtrey don skirts to trap some shoplifters, but their thunder is stolen by seasoned supports Joan Hickson, Irene Handl and Esma Cannon, who play their usual eccentrics.

With a flu epidemic running rife, three new bumbling recruits are assigned to Inspector Mills police station. With help from Special Constable Gorse, they manage to totally wreck operations of the police force and let plenty of criminals get away, even before they arrive at the station. They all have to prove themselves or else they'll be out of a job and Sgt. Wilkins will be transferred.