Detective Sergeant Harry Challenor is undoubtedly one of the most
controversial policeman of all time.
Born into grinding poverty in 1922, Challenor served with the
prestigious Special Air Service during World War Two, was parachuted
behind enemy lines, was captured twice, escaped twice and was awarded
the Military Medal for his bravery.
Joining the postwar Metropolitan Police, Challenor began his one-man
crime crusade. After four years with the elite Flying Squad, Challenor
was sent to London's West End to clear up crime in Soho. Pimps,
racketeers and crooks were rounded-up and often found themselves in
possession of a bewildering assortment of armaments of which they denied
all knowledge. More sensible gangsters, like Reg and Ron Kray, took off
as soon as his name was mentioned.
A reward of £1000 was offered by the gang leaders to anyone who could
successfully bring sufficiently damaging allegations to have Challenor
transferred, but in the end, it was not needed. During a political
demonstration in 1963, half-bricks were planted on innocent protesters
which resulted in three young policemen being imprisoned and Challenor
was certified as being a paranoid schizophrenic and sent to a succession
of psychiatric hospitals and care homes.
Policeman-turned-author, Dick Kirby, has interviewed former friends and
colleagues of Harry Challenor and has meticulously studied court records
and official documents to write the sensational and extraordinary story
of the man whom became The Scourge of Soho.
