Books Reviews

Scotland Yard’s Ghost Squad – Book Review

By Angela Youngman Nov 30, 2011, 16:10 GMT

When the Second World War ended, England was bombed-out and starving, with practically every saleable commodity rationed. It was the age of austerity and criminal opportunity. Thieves broke into warehouses, hijacked trucks and ransacked railyards to feed the black market; others stole, recycled or forged ration coupons. Scotland Yard was 6,000 men under strength but something dramatic had to be done - and it was.Four of the ...more

At the end of the Second World War, practically everything was rationed.  It was an age of austerity and inevitably - criminal opportunity.  The black market boomed as thieves broke into warehouses, hi-jacked lorries, stole, recycled and forged ration coupons.  The police seemed powerless to stop them. 

Then four of Scotland Yard's top detectives were formed into the Ghost Squad. Their aim was simple - do whatever they could to decrease the power of the criminal gangs.  All they had to do was succeed.  Capstick, Clark, Brinnand and Gosling set about their task using informants, undercover detectives and their own ability. 

The results were amazing.  Within four years, they had arrested 789 criminals, solved over 1,000 cases and recovered stolen property valued at £250,000.  Discovering how they achieved this makes fascinating reading, offering an insight into a period of history about which most people know very little.