Twentieth Century Cop

There are police memoirs, there are behind-the-scenes television memoirs, and then there is Twentieth Century Cop by Barry Appleton—a remarkable book that successfully combines both into a compelling, authentic, and often exhilarating account of a life lived on the front line of crime and drama.

Barry Appleton's story begins far from the bright lights of television. Born in Monmouth in 1939 and raised by his grandparents, he left Wales in 1957 aboard the famous Red Dragon steam train bound for London, drawn by an advertisement for the Metropolitan Police. What follows is not merely the story of a police career, but a vivid portrait of a Britain undergoing enormous social change.

Appleton joined the Met at a time when policing was vastly different from today. His recollections of late-1950s London provide a fascinating glimpse into a vanished world, and as the narrative moves into the transformative 1960s—with Swinging London, Carnaby Street, The Beatles, and the emergence of a new cultural landscape—the book becomes an absorbing social history as well as a personal memoir.

The heart of Twentieth Century Cop lies in Appleton's experiences as a detective. Walking the streets of London's East End during the era of the Kray twins, progressing through CID and eventually reaching the elite Flying Squad, he found himself at the centre of some of the most dramatic criminal investigations of the twentieth century. Multi-million-pound robberies, murder investigations, undercover operations, and even undercover inquiries connected to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. all feature in a career that often reads more like a thriller than a memoir.

What makes the book particularly distinctive is Appleton's storytelling technique. Drawing on his later success as a screenwriter, he frequently presents scenes in screenplay format, complete with stage directions and dialogue. This approach brings incidents vividly to life, allowing readers to experience conversations and encounters as though they are unfolding on screen. Far from feeling gimmicky, these script-style passages inject immediacy and dramatic tension into the narrative, reflecting the author's unique perspective as both policeman and writer.

Yet the memoir's second act is just as fascinating as the first. Following his retirement from the Metropolitan Police, Appleton embarked on an unexpected and highly successful writing career. Through a mixture of determination, talent, and fortunate timing, he became involved in what would become one of Britain's most beloved television dramas, The Bill. His account of how a simple request to check a script for authenticity led to a long career as technical adviser and lead writer is both entertaining and revealing.

Particularly enjoyable are the behind-the-scenes stories surrounding the creation of The Bill. Fans of the series will relish Appleton's recollections of shaping the show's realism and authenticity, as well as the delightful anecdote explaining how the programme ultimately acquired its iconic title. These chapters offer a rare insider's view of television production while demonstrating how Appleton's real-world policing experience helped define one of the most influential police dramas ever made.

Throughout the book, Appleton's voice remains engaging, humble, and refreshingly straightforward. There is no unnecessary sensationalism; the drama emerges naturally from the extraordinary events he witnessed and participated in. His years as a detective lend credibility to every page, while his skill as a professional writer ensures the narrative never loses momentum.

Twentieth Century Cop succeeds on multiple levels. It is a gripping true-crime memoir, an insightful account of post-war British policing, a fascinating television industry memoir, and a testament to a life spent reinventing oneself. Readers interested in crime history, policing, British television, or simply well-told life stories will find much to admire here.

Above all, the book captures something increasingly rare: the experiences of an old-school detective whose career bridged two worlds—first fighting crime on the streets of London and later bringing those experiences to millions of viewers through television. Barry Appleton's journey is extraordinary, and Twentieth Century Cop is a fittingly dramatic, informative, and thoroughly entertaining record of it.

Rating: 5/5
A fascinating and highly original memoir that combines true crime, social history, and television storytelling into one unforgettable read.