{"product_id":"scotland-yards-supergrass-years-dick-kirby-9781036193287","title":"Scotland Yard's Supergrass Years: The Flying Squad's War Against Armed Robbers","description":"\u003cb\u003eBarrett's dangerous transformation from informant to prolific armed robber exposes the volatile edge of crime and justice.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSupergrasses - professional criminals, often armed robbers, who were caught red-handed and willing to turn informer against their fellows in return for a reduced sentence - were a hugely valuable crime fighting asset during the 1970s and '80s.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut this is the riveting inside story of a supergrass with a difference. Donald Walter Barrett was caught for a serious offence and, having turned supergrass, received a reduced sentence and then, following his release went on to commit more ruthless armed robberies amounting to  1.6 million. The more shocking involved the use of proxy bombs where an explosive device was attached to the victim who was told it would be detonated by remote control if he failed to comply with the robbers' demands. Using this method, Barrett took an employee of a cash depository and his family hostage overnight, before raiding the depot and stealing  480,000 cash.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFollowing his sensational arrest for a robbery of gold bullion, Barrett became the Metropolitan Police's one and only double Supergrass. The Author, a much published and respected crime writer, was one of the Met Flying Squad officers who debriefed Barrett.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe thrilling book features Barrett's wide-ranging associates including 'Bertie' Smalls and 'The Wembley Mob', George Ince (whose lover, Dolly Kray provided an alibi) and a whole assortment of colourful and professional career criminals.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Dick Kirby\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1036193284\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781036193287\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Pen and Sword True Crime\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/30\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 240\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover","brand":"Dick Kirby","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":49097262530815,"sku":"9781036193287","price":44.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/scotland-yards-supergrass-years-dick-kirby-9781036193287","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}