Local History Resources

Brighton Crime & Vice 1800-2000

By Douglas d'Enno

Brighton is most often thought of as the resort of kings; a reputation which owes a great deal to the Prince of Wales, later George IV and his unique Pavilion.  But there has always been a seedy side to the city, and criminality and vice are also part of its history

In his new book 'Brighton Crime & Vice 1800-2000', local author Douglas d'Enno records two centuries of criminal history in the city.  The book is presented in a very convenient A to Z format and so searching for particular items or people is very easy.  The author documents crimes across the spectrum.  Murders, rapes, thefts, racketeering, scandals, drug-dealing, embezzlement and vice are just a selection of the topics covered. An interesting aspect of the book is that it combines fact and fiction; there are entries devoted to films and books portraying crime in the area.  This unique guide is a valuable work of reference for those who are interested in the history of the city's underworld. Apart from being encyclopaedic in its range, the book is highly readable and I found myself not being able to put it down.

Douglas d'Enno is a local historian, linguist, publisher and journalist who has written a number of books on Brighton.  He is currently researching material for 'Saltdean Revisited', the follow up to his book 'The Saltdean Story'.