Hachette India

Bobby on the Beat

Bob Dixon

Bob Dixon spent years 'on the Beat' as a police constable in the Metropolitan Police Force in the early 1960s witnessing all manner of incidents from the serious to the ludicrous. Spending the majority of his time in London's infamous East End dealing with drunks fatalities on the road domestic disputes and even suicides as well as policing at major public events such as Guy Fawkes night New Year's Eve and anti-Vietnam War marches life was colourful and varied if not always safe. Bobby on the Beat is the true memoir of a real-life London copper charting Bob Dixon's experiences as a young police officer before he joined the CID. The book covers his life before joining the Force his rigorous training the vagaries of first patrolling the Beat the numerous accounts sad and funny of crime fighting in the capital the lighter side of policing and how he feels the police force has changed since the 60s. Offering unique insights into a world many of us do not feel comfortable entering Bobby on the Beat uncovers what life is really like for those brave few who help keep our streets safe.

Bob Dixon

Bob Dixon was born in Hertfordshire in 1941. His father was a merchant seaman and his mother a schoolteacher. Together with his brother and sister the family lived in Harpenden later moving to Southampton where Bob attended King Edward VI School. On leaving he spent two years as a crew member on a Research Ship in Antarctica. He then joined the Metropolitan Police serving for four years in uniform and later in the CID in East and South London and at Scotland Yard. On leaving the Police after fourteen years service Bob was Security Manager for three national retail companies and a hotel chain before joining Cunard as Security Officer on the QEII. On leaving the sea after four years he was appointed Branch Manager of a national driving school retiring in 2001 due to ill health. He has been married to his wife Anne a retired nurse for forty-nine years and they have four children and five grandchildren. He lives in Worthing Sussex and his hobbies are writing reading supporting Southampton Football Club and watching most sports. He is also an active member of the West Sussex Writers' Club.