Scotland Yard’s Flying Squad by Dick Kirby

I was curious to know more about the Flying Squad after seeing it mentioned in a book I read previously, and so, I was very pleased to receive Scotland Yard’s Flying Squad by Dick Kirby* for review. I imagined it would be a book on the history of the squad, from its beginning in 1919. It is, but with a twist, as it is a history told through stories of real crimes and how the squad handled it. So, this book is actually amazing! I loved it!

I think the best way to show how fascinating this book is by copying a small quote from the book. It’s from the beginning, so it will not spoil the enjoyment of the book if you decide you want to get it and read it for yourself.

This is on page 3:
“…was called “The Mobile Patrol Experiment”, Wensley provided his men with two covered horse-drawn wagons leased from the Great Western Railway. Spyholes were cut into the canvas hoods, interchangeable boards giving the names and addresses of businesses suitable for the areas that they were going to patrol were slotted into the sides of the wagons, and as the horses clip-clopped into Whitehall they were apparently no different from any of the other thousands of wagons in the streets of London…”

It was so interesting to see how criminal behaviour and what they were doing changed over time. I enjoyed seeing the pictures of policemen involved in the squad. As for the stories… they all read like the plot of the next great Netflix/Amazon series.

Scotland Yard’s Flying Squad by Dick Kirby

Details about the picture: –
My rating: 5/5 Stars
Would I recommend it: yes!
Published by: Pen and Sword
Year it was published: 2019
Format: Paperback
Genre(s): History
Pages: 234

About the author: Dick Kirby was born in London and joined the Metropolitan Police at 24, in 1967. He spent 13 years with Scotland Yard’s Serious Crime Squad and the Flying Squad from his 26 years in the police. Kirby writes for different magazines and newspapers, and he also makes TV appearances and in radio shows. He is now retired. If you want to know more about him, check his website, below.
Website & Social Media Links: dickkirby & Pen and Sword

*I was sent a copy of Scotland Yard’s Flying Squad by Dick Kirby for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.