Crime on the Canals

A look at the history of crimes along Great Britain's canal network, from the author of The Origins of English Pub Names.

Throughout our islands' history, we find tales of thieves, smugglers, thugs, and murderers. Books have been written retelling tales of bandits, footpads, highwaymen, et al, attacking the lone traveler, the horseman, the coachman, shipping line, locomotive engineer, lorry or van driver, and even pilot. Yet for almost two centuries, the majority of goods have travelled on...