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The Racetrack Gangs: Four Decades of Doping, Intimidation and Violent Crime

by Dick Kirby
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Current price ₹1,436.00
Original price ₹2,023.00
Original price ₹2,023.00
Original price ₹2,023.00
(-29%)
₹1,436.00
Current price ₹1,436.00

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Book cover type: Paperback
  • ISBN13: 9781526778727
  • Binding: Paperback
  • Subject: N/A
  • Publisher: Pen and Sword True Crime
  • Publisher Imprint: Pen and Sword True Crime
  • Publication Date: N/A
  • Pages: 224
  • Original Price: GBP 15.99
  • Language: English
  • Edition: N/A
  • Item Weight: 522 grams
  • BISAC Subject(s): Organized Crime and Europe / Great Britain / 20th Century

Between the two World Wars, there was a dramatic upsurge of violence as rival criminal gangs vied for rich pickings from bookmakers at racetracks throughout England.

With ready access to cash, 'bookies' were a magnet for mobsters' blackmailing demands. Refusal to pay resulted in severe punishment. Their justified fears spawned a ready 'protection' market .

Conflict between rival gangs were frequent and increasingly violent. Charles 'Darby' Sabini with his brothers ran 'The Italian Mob' who clashed with Billy Kimber and his Brummagen Hammers.

Uneasy partnerships were formed but seldom lasted. The Sabinis were friendly with the Cortesi family until a rift resulted in one of the Cortesis shooting Harryboy Sabini. Other gangs such as The Titanics and The Nile Mob were ready to fill voids. As well as broken alliances, internal friction and members changing sides resulted in bloodshed on the streets, in pubs and clubs and on the courses. Public order was so threatened that the Flying Squad was tasked with the eradication of the problem and, in 1936, the celebrated Battle of Lewes Racecourse brought matters to a bloody conclusion.

This well researched and gripping account describes the vicious dramas played out in the 1920s and 1930s.

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.

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