I gave the prescribed Metropolitan Police "first greeting". "Oi!" I said "What do you think you're doing? — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share Image
“We were aiming for a cross between Kafka and Orwell, which just goes to show how dangerous it can be when your… — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share Image
It's a police mantra that all members of the public are guilty of something, but some members of the public are more… — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share Image
If you find yourself talking to the police, my advice is to stay calm but look guilty; it's your safest bet. — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share Image
“It’s strictly constables, sergeants, and lunatics. We’ll keep the kettle on for you.” — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share Image
“It’s a truism in policing that witnesses and statements are fine, but nothing beats empirical physical evidence. Actually it isn’t a truism… — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share Image
Despite my mum being from a small village in the middle of a forest, I'm not a country person. I don't like… — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share Image
Are they really gods?" "I never worry about theological questions," said Nightingale. "They exist, they have power and they can breach the… — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share Image
Not being invited in is one of the boxes on the “suspicious behavior” bingo form that every copper carries around in their… — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share Image
“Who made the 999 call?" "Dunno," said Purdy. "Mobile, probably." It's officers like Purdy that give the Metropolitan Police its sterling reputation… — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share Image
“There was also a great absence of people, including behind the mahogany-topped reception desk. Now, there’s a time when an unlocked premises… — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share Image
“She had the startled-rabbit look that civilians get after five minutes of helping the police with their inquiries. If they stay calm… — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share Image
If you ask any police officer what the worst part of the job is, they will always say breaking bad news to… — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share Image
“We can't have your people fighting each other," I said. The 'royal we' is very important in police work; it reminds the… — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share Image
The Metropolitan Police Service is still, despite what people think, a working-class organisation and as such rejects totally the notion of an… — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share Image
“He was from Yorkshire, or somewhere like that, and like many Northerners with issues, he'd moved to London as a cheap alternative to psychotherapy.” — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share
“I left in a hurry before he could change his mind, but I want to make it clear that at no point did I… — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share
The general public have a warped view of the speed at which an investigation proceeds. They like to imagine tense conversations going on behind… — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share
“Something round and dirty and white was resting near my foot. It was a skull. I picked it up. ‘Is that you, Nicholas?’ I… — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share
Coffee arrived and the espresso was excellent, like an aromatic electric fence. — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share
“Peter Grant,’ I said. ‘Recent arrival, slacker and man of very little fame.” — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share
“My mum translated this in her head to "witchfinder," which was good because like most West Africans, she considered witchfinding a more respectable profession… — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share
“Right from the start Abigail used to moan and fidget as her hair was relaxed or braided or thermally reconditioned, but her dad was… — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share
“The mark was from the glue that once held a folder into which a library card would have fitted back in the day when… — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share
It's a sad fact of modern life that if you drive long enough, sooner or later you must leave London behind. — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share
This I know for a fact: the reason African women have children is so that there's someone else to do the housework. — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share
“There’s always a secret door,” I said. “That’s why you always need a thief in your party.” — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share
You know, your species [humans] has the most amazing capacity for self-deception, matched only by its ingenuity in trying to destroy itself. — Ben Aaronovitch Copy Share
