Blackpool Then & Now

The Great Train Robbery of 1963 is one of the most (in)famous crimes in British history. The bulk of the money stolen (equivalent to GBP40 million today) has never been recovered. There has not been a single year since 1963 when one aspect or another of the crime or its participants has not been featured in the media, and there is no sign that public interest in this subject is abating - quite the opposite, in fact. With the 50th anniversary approaching, interest will no doubt increase even more. The Great Train Robbery will examine new evidence (including previously classified documents from the Metropolitan Police, Home Office and Foreign Office) as to why such a meticuolously planned crime failed during the getaway, how the establishment conspired to ensure harsh sentences, how the driver of the train was manipulated and how the police investigation was mishandled, and will reveal what happened to the money.

ANDREW COOK is the author of Ace of Spies: the True Story of Sidney Reilly, M: MI5's First Spymaster, To Kill Rasputin: the Life and Death of Gegori Rasputin, Prince Eddy: the King We Never Had and Cash for Honours: the True Life of Maundy Gregory. He has also written numerous newspaper articles and been involved with historical television documentaries. He lives in Bedfordshire.