'A model of smart storytelling and pure inspiration' Stephen J. Dubner, co-author of Freakonomics
Stevyn Colgan spent thirty years in the police service, ten of them as part of the Problem Solving Unit, a special team with an extraordinary brief: to tackle issues of crime and disorder that were unresponsive to traditional policing. The result is this fascinating collection of innovative and imaginative approaches to crime prevention, showing us that any problem can be solved if we just identify its underlying roots.

You'll come to appreciate the advantages of sticking gum on celebrities' faces and why the colour of your football kit might win you the match. You'll learn how lollipops counter antisocial behaviour, how wizards prevent street gambling and how putting on a dog show could help reduce violent crime.

Above all, this book is an amusing, insightful and often surprising celebration of creative thinking that will inspire you to stay one step ahead of the problem.

'A model of smart storytelling and pure inspiration' Stephen J. Dubner, co-author of Freakonomics

About the Author

Stevyn Colgan is an author, artist, public speaker and oddly-spelled Cornishman.

He has, among other things, been a chef, a brewer, a milkman, a comics publisher and the official artist for the 2006 UK National Children's Book Fair. He's written briefing notes for two prime ministers and TV scripts for Gerry Anderson, and he's helped build dinosaur skeletons for the Natural History Museum and movie monsters for Bruce Willis to shoot at.

But for thirty years he was a police officer in London, during which time he was set on fire twice, was sworn at by a royal, met two US presidents and a pope, was kissed by Princess Diana and let Freddie Mercury wear his helmet. In between such events he was part of the Met Police's experimental Problem Solving Unit.

He is a consultant for change agency Left/Field London and he is also one of the elves who research and write the popular BBC TV series QI and its sister show, The Museum of Curiosity, for BBC Radio 4.

Book Information
ISBN 9781783525843
Author Stevyn Colgan
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Unbound Digital
Publisher Unbound
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 20mm