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Decoy

By Robert Murphy
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Brief Description
Winner of 'Best Book' and 'Impact for Change' True Crime Awards 2025 The shocking true story of one of Britain’s most secretive, groundbreaking and successful police covert operations Bristol, 1979. An attacker roams the streets... Young women are warned not to go out alone... Enter the... Read More
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Winner of 'Best Book' and 'Impact for Change' True Crime Awards 2025

The shocking true story of one of Britain’s most secretive, groundbreaking and successful police covert operations

The gripping true crime story of one of Britain’s most shocking and secretive historical undercover police operations

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Winner of 'Best Book' and 'Impact for Change' True Crime Awards 2025

The shocking true story of one of Britain’s most secretive, groundbreaking and successful police covert operations

Bristol, 1979.

An attacker roams the streets...

Young women are warned not to go out alone...

Enter the Decoys.

For several years, a prolific predator haunted Bristol. Avon and Somerset Police had tried all their usual tactics to catch the ‘Clifton Rapist’, and public pressure was mounting.

In 1979, a daring new plan was introduced, unlike anything previously attempted by a UK police force. A small group of young female officers – some aged just 18 – put their lives on the line, walking the quiet residential roads late at night, acting as bait.

Drawing on in-depth research and first-hand interviews with the women at the heart of the operation, Decoy is a dramatic retelling of one of the most groundbreaking agent provocateur stings in British history.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780008666811

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 April 2024

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: HarperCollins

Illustration: 16 col plates (8pp)

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 27.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 260g

Pages: 304

Collections

Biography & Memoir Crime & Thriller Education & Reference Fiction Robert Murphy True Crime

About the Author

Robert Murphy is an ITV News correspondent who has spent more than 20 years covering Britain's biggest crime stories. Rob wrote, presented and produced ITV News' first two true crime podcasts, No Strings Attached and Catching Melanie's Killer. His documentary credits include presenting and directing A Confession: As Told by ITV News. He won the regional Royal Television Society Reporter of the Year award as well as several ITV News Group awards. A keen freshwater swimmer, Rob lives in Bristol with his wife and two sons.

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