Death on the Beat by Dick Kirby
There is little that shocks the British public more than the killing of policemen and women whilst tackling criminals. Even hardened crooks baulk at what is seen as the ultimate crime particularly in the days when the police were largely unarmed.Death on the Beat looks at fifty years of crime enforcement through case studies to demonstrate the ever present danger to those who patrolled London's streets and paid with their lives. Many who died were carrying out routine duties. PC Nat Edgar was shot in 1948 by a burglar and PC Patrick Dunne was murdered investigating a domestic incident in 1993; it took thirteen years to bring his killer to justice. Detective Sergeant Ray Purdy was shot arresting a cheap blackmailer and PC Ray Summers stabbed to death breaking up a gang fight. Particularly shocking was the gunning down of the three-man crew of the 'Q' car in 1966.Terrorism brought more deaths. The IRA were responsible for the murder of PC Stephen Tibble and the horrific bombing of Harrods which cost three brave police officers their lives. The case of WPC Yvonne Fletcher, shot from inside the Libyan Embassy in 1984, remains highly contentious.Acclaimed crime writer and former Met detective, Dick Kirby has drawn deep on his knowledge and contacts within and outside the Metropolitan Police to get first-hand accounts of these crimes, the ensuing investigations and the aftermath for those affected directly. Written in his no-holds-barred and authoritative style, Death on the Beat, Dick's ninth book, promises to be the best yet.
"Rarely, if ever, have I been so captivated and moved by a book.. the way in which Mr Kirby has gone about it is exceptional. The straight and factual style works superbly, putting the reader there on the scene of these tragedies as they developed." Police Memorabilia Collectors Club, October 2012. " ...another excellent book by the redoubtable Dick Kirby ... Nobody reading this book can fail to be sobered and impressed by the courage and humanity of the men and women working to keep our streets safe for us". History by the Yard Website, September 2012. "Dick Kirby, as we've seen over the past few years has used the time profitably, writing a series of books on aspects of the history of crime-fighting. This book covers 50 years of crime enforcement and describes in detail the constant danger to the police who have patrolled London's streets". East Anglian Daily Times, 28 July 2012. "An extremely well-researched and well-written book. Thank you, Dick Kirby, for placing your extensive research before us all in an informed read". Paul Millen, author of Crime Scene Investigator.
Kirby, Dick: - Dick Kirby was born in the East End of London and joined the Metropolitan Police in 1967\. Half of his twenty-six years' service was spent with Scotland Yard's Serious Crime Squad and the Flying Squad. Kirby contributes to newspapers and magazines on a regular basis, as well as appearing on television and radio. The Guv'nors, The Sweeney, Scotland Yard's Ghost Squad, Brave Line Death on the Beat, Scourge of Soho, Crime and Corruption at The Yard and London Gangs at War are all published under the Wharncliffe True Crime imprint and he has further other published works to his credit. On retirement he lives near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Kirby can be visited at his website: www.dickkirby.com.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781848846203 |
| ISBN 10 | 1848846207 |
| Title | Death on the Beat |
| Author | Dick Kirby |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Pen & Sword Books Ltd |
| Year published | 2012-10-01 |
| Number of pages | 208 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |