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Cops and Robbers
- The History of the British Police Car
- Narrated by: Ant Anstead
- Length: 13 hrs and 40 mins
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Cops and Robbers
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Summary
TV presenter and all-round car nut Ant Anstead takes the listener on a journey that mirrors the development of the motor car itself from a stuttering 20mph annoyance that scared everyone's horses to 150mph pursuits with aerial support and sophisticated electronic tracking.
The British Police Force's relationship with the car started with the chasing of pioneer speeding motorists, who were often caught by policemen on bicycles. However, as speed restrictions eased in the early 20th century and car ownership increased, the police embraced the car. Crime was becoming intrinsically linked to the car; criminals were stealing them to sell on or to use as getaway vehicles, and the police needed to stay ahead, or at least only one step behind. The arms race for speed, which culminated in the police acquiring high-speed pursuit vehicles such as Subaru Impreza Turbos, had begun.
Ant Anstead spent the first seven years of his working life as a cop. Growing up watching The Professionals and other TV programmes initially fired his enthusiasm, partly because of the cars; who doesn't love a handbrake-turning Capri? However, Ant was a serious copper who succeeded in the force and joined the armed response team, one of the force's most elite units. Ant never lost his love of cars, though, especially police cars.
In this fascinating new history of the British police car, Ant looks at the classic police cars, from the Met's Wolseleys to the motorway patrol car officers most loved, the Senator, via unusual unexpected police vehicles such as an Arial Atom. It's a must-listen for car enthusiasts, social historians and anyone who just loves a good car chase.
What listeners say about Cops and Robbers
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- northernblue
- 09-11-23
Comprehensive and well-researched
Comprehensive and well-researched history of British police vehicles, written and narrated by someone with extensive knowledge of and enthusiasm for the subject. Pitched just right for both the general reader and keen enthusiast. I. did find it helpful to Google some of the less familiar models mentioned but that was my choice and not an absolute necessity.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- claire2848
- 16-08-19
Interesting, entertaining and informative.
Great to hear Ant himself narrating.
Description of his life in the introduction was interesting and I would have loved to hear more. The knowledge on the subject is great and his opinion, thoughts and stories littered throughout make it an interesting listen.
Only downside is that there are pictures in the physical book which you miss on the audible version and ended up buying the hardback also.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tony Hearn
- 28-08-19
Great book but slightly dodgy narration!
I must admit all I know of Ant Anstead is the fact he replaced Edd China on Wheeler Dealers...however, I thought this book looked interesting and the audio sample showed he has a pleasant reading voice.
I enjoyed this book a lot..it's a great history lesson and Ant has a great voice and narration style...however....as it went on I found myself listening out for his very odd pronunciation on certain words and his plain cock-ups..for instance..the biker who was caught with "a two bag pound" of drugs and saying "car" when he means "cars"...little things I know, but distracting, and a pity because this is a good listen and he does have a good voice for this sort of thing...(I should add I also have Edd China's book "Grease Monkey" and that had no mistakes of pronunciation or general mistakes that I could notice).
I would not hesitate to buy another book by Ant, but next time I hope he has a little more help!.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 26-05-18
Excellent
May have been delayed from original scheduled release but well worth the wait. Nostalgic and informative, written and narrated with passion and character.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- John Warner
- 15-07-21
Okay
Great bits and lots of anorak stuff
I'm never going to be able to see an Austin Westminster without smiling and mispronouncing
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- MISS N J HESBROOK
- 03-07-23
Very good
It is a very good book if you like. Police because it goes through the history of police and the cars
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- BodieDoyle
- 18-12-19
"Your nicked you petrol head"!!!
Nice potted police vehicle history, this would make a good Christmas gift for classic car fans, with lots of anecdotes about that symbolic panda car. Ant narrates and his own police experience adds another angle, damn good book.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- stuart
- 05-11-19
Informative but boring
Went on a bit, real hard listen but some interesting facts just a little drone
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- x11raj
- 10-10-20
Superb research - cured my insomnia
Ant has obviously done his research but the story repeats itself in too many places and overlaps. It’s too long and confusing - but Ant should be commended for his painstaking research
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Ron
- 17-03-22
Sorry Ant.
Too many lists and way too geeky. Love Ant just not this book. Sometimes it’s like reading from a catalog.
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