This is a non-fiction history but it is not a dry account and the author knows his subject and brings it to life. Readers will come to this from a variety of perspectives. For some, the appeal will be simple interest in the subject. For others like myself, it will be more reference. As a journalist and a writer of crime fiction, I have an interest in armed police operations. Whatever the readers' motivation, this is a readable and well laid out account of the Met police firearms unit and one that is sure to not disappoint.

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Adventures in Crime Fiction Land

Stephen Smith's book, making use of high-quality photos, first-person experience of the author, a narrative always measured in the various sections that compose it, leads us to know how the specialist unit of the London Metropolitan Police works, and at the same time it offers some interesting reflections on the use of weapons and force within the police force of one of the capitals of the world

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On The Old Barbed Wire

"Excellent book Stephen, well done. A true record that you and your former colleagues will be proud to own and share with the coming generations."

Review by

Robert Bartlett

This book provides a fantastic insight from an ex-firearms officer who provides a very fact based look into key major events that have helped mould the current armed police teams in London. It does not glorify or provide excuses, just pure facts written in a very easy-to-read style.

It covers the earliest armed chase through London, gang culture from the 70’s to present day and the challenges that face the terrorist threats they currently face.

It also covers the technology, tools and clothing that has been developed to meet the demands of modern-day policing.

If you want to understand and appreciate what these teams do it’s a must read.

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For the Love of Books

A rich and detailed look inside the armed police in London which is a long overdue book.
All the latest tactics and equipment as well as operations are covered in great detail which makes it the number one go to reference for this type of subject.
The author really knew their stuff and it comes across as you read through and look at the many accompanying photos.
This really deserves to be on everyone's book shelf.

Amazon Customer, Richard Domoney-Saunders

This is an important and valuable book that sets out what has been happening in the Metropolitan Police's Firearms Unit over a period of years. Written 50 years after the murder of three officers at Braybrook Street, Shepherds Bush, it is timely to reflect on how the Met's response to firearms crime has developed. We are all threatened by the fact that criminals have firearms - and use them, notwithstanding the strict firearms licensing laws that limits their availability to some extent. We do not relish the images of heavily armed police officers, the unease that they put into our minds, and their obvious distance from the community policing we appreciate so much. But this book describes how the system of armed patrols in London works, and the impressive steps to ensure good command and coordination for when police officers have to do something about mobile criminals who may be about to commit a robbery, a violent drugs deal or an act of terrorism. Split second decisions have to be made in tense situations when movements of suspects may be seen as sinister. The police officers involved need to be protected physically: their body armour moves them a long way from the 'officer on the beat'. They need to train for a great range of scenarios, much like their military counterparts, and they need to respond quickly to the surprisingly high number of incidents occurring on a daily basis on London's streets. All of this leads to quite a large squad of specialist officers who concentrate on using firearms against violent criminals, hopefully not to the exclusion of wider policing concerns. We need to understand how the teams operate, and this books helps enormously in this regard.

Physical protection from opposing gunfire is one thing: the law on reasonable force is another, and the wheels of inquests and enquiries grind exceedingly slow at times. We all wish that relatives did not need to face and mourn the deaths of those who are shot by police officers, but how can it be right for an officer to wait a decade before a court decides his fate? We would all like the processes of investigation, surveillance and arrest to take place peacefully, but occasionally they do not, despite all the best intentions, well-laid plans and occasional imperfections. The officials, lawyers and politicians, who pronounce at leisure, rarely experience the inevitable stress and fear of fast-moving violent incidents that can turn a police officer hero into an apparent villain according to their instant judgement and assessment. The police proverb 'better to be judged by twelve men than carried in a coffin by six' is no doubt true; but it is also vital that senior police officers exercise strong, wise and thoroughly engaged leadership and supervision of these firearms teams who have to carry out their duty in such extraordinary situations.

Alan Moss