Broken Yard: The Fall of the Metropolitan Police

The Metropolitan Police Service, once a powerful and respected organization, has been plunged into a crisis of corruption, racism, and mismanagement, as depicted in the book "Broken Yard." Spanning three decades, the book charts the Met's fall from power to a troubled and discredited institution struggling to protect the public.

Format: Hardback
Length: 480 pages
Publication date: 04 October 2022
Publisher: Biteback Publishing

A searing account of corruption, racism, and mismanagement within Britain's most famous police force, the Metropolitan Police Service, is presented in Broken Yard. Barely a week passes without the service being engulfed in a fresh crisis, leaving it demoralized and depleted in numbers. Spanning three decades, from the infamous Stephen Lawrence case to the shocking murder of Sarah Everard, Broken Yard charts the Met's descent from a position of unparalleled power to the troubled and discredited organization it currently represents. Struggling to perform its most basic function: the protection of the public, the service is barely trusted by its Westminster masters.

The result is a devastating portrayal of a world-famous police force plagued by corruption, misogyny, and rank incompetence. As a top investigative reporter for the Sunday Times and The Independent, Tom Harper covered Scotland Yard for fifteen years, beginning shortly after the fatal shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, an innocent Brazilian killed by Met Police officers in 2005 after being mistaken for a terror suspect. Since then, reporting on Scotland Yard has been akin to witnessing a slow-motion car crash.

Using thousands of intelligence files, witness statements, and court transcripts provided by police sources, as well as firsthand testimony, Harper elucidates how London's world-famous police force found itself in this sorry predicament and how it might escape it. The book sheds light on the systemic issues that have contributed to the Met's decline, including political interference, budget cuts, and a culture of impunity. It also exposes the personal stories of the officers and staff who have been affected by the crisis, highlighting the toll it has taken on their mental and physical well-being.

Broken Yard is a crucial read for anyone interested in understanding the state of Britain's police force and the challenges it faces in the 21st century. It serves as a warning that the problems faced by the Met are not unique and that similar issues can be found in police departments across the country. The book offers a roadmap for reform, advocating for greater transparency, accountability, and diversity within the service.

In conclusion, Broken Yard is a powerful and eye-opening account of the decline and fall of Britain's most famous police force. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of holding those in power accountable for their actions. By shedding light on the systemic issues that have contributed to the Met's troubles, the book provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about police reform and the protection of public safety.

Weight: 718g
Dimension: 163 x 242 x 43 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781785907685