London has always had more than its fair share of criminals, & medieval records are full of murders, fights, forgery & vagrancy. As the capital, it was the obvious centre for conspiracies, riots & revolts, while its wealth & anonymity made it a magnet for thieves, robbers & criminal gangs from the entire kingdom. In addition to the criminals & their crimes, the author also provides a well-researched & illustrated account of those who spent their lives pursuing them: the police, thief-takers, magistrates & judges.