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Jack Slipper
Jack Slipper
Jack Slipper
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Jack Kenneth Slipper (20 April 1924, in London – 24 August 2005, in Pershore) was a Detective Chief Superintendent in the Metropolitan Police in London. He was known as "Slipper of the Yard" (referring to Scotland Yard). He was mainly known for his role in investigating the Great Train Robbery of 1963, and in tracking down Ronnie Biggs after he escaped from prison in 1965, although he had to leave Brazil without Biggs.

Early life

[edit]

Slipper was born in Ealing, west London, and educated at Little Ealing School. He left school aged 14 and worked as an electrician's apprentice until 1941, when he enlisted in the Royal Air Force to serve in the Second World War. He served as an electrician with a nightfighter squadron at West Malling, and was then posted to the Rhodesian Air Training Group in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe) in 1943. Having grown to 6'3", he became light heavyweight boxing champion of the Rhodesian combined services. He was demobilized in 1946 and returned to work in London as an electrician.

Early police career

[edit]

Slipper joined the Metropolitan Police in 1951. He trained at Hendon Police College, and served briefly as a police constable in Brentford before moving to Chelsea. He undertook traffic duties, and guarded the residence of the US Ambassador in South Kensington.

He joined the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in 1956. After an unusually short probationary period of little more than 2 years (rather than the usual 3 or 4), he was posted to Acton as a Detective Constable. He joined the Flying Squad in 1962, and was quickly promoted to Detective Sergeant, becoming a Detective Inspector by 1968. He left the Flying Squad to be posted to Harlesden. In 1971, he became a Detective Chief Inspector in Q Division (formed in 1965 to cover the Wembley area, previously divided between S and T Divisions) and moved to Harrow, then Detective Chief Superintendent of the stolen-car squad at Chalk Farm. He was in charge of operations at the Flying Squad from 1973 to 1977 as its deputy head under Commander Don Neesham, and then head of Q Division detectives at Wembley.

He was involved in the investigation of the Shepherd's Bush murders in which three unarmed policemen were shot dead in Shepherd's Bush in August 1966, for which three men were later convicted.

Great Train Robbery

[edit]

Slipper is mainly notable for his role in investigating the Great Train Robbery in August 1963. Then a Detective Sergeant with the Flying Squad, Slipper was one of six police officers chosen by its head, Tommy Butler, to form a special unit to catch the robbers. According to the police investigation, several of the robbers had left fingerprints or palm prints at the gang's temporary hideout at Leatherslade Farm in Buckinghamshire. Biggs' fingerprints were found on a bottle of tomato sauce. Slipper was present when Biggs was arrested at his home in Redhill on 4 September 1963.

After being sentenced to 30 years imprisonment in 1964, Biggs escaped from Wandsworth Prison in 1965. Biggs travelled via Paris to Spain and then Melbourne, Australia, where, despite plastic surgery to alter his appearance, he was identified by his dental records after visiting a dentist.

In January 1968 after six years with the Flying Squad, and most of the wanted Train Robbers caught, Slipper decided to return to Division and gained promotion to Detective Chief Inspector in September of that year. After a few other postings, in March 1973 he returned to the Flying Squad as operational Chief Superintendent.

1974 extradition attempt

[edit]

Despite rumours, Biggs remained untraced until 1974, when he gave an interview to the Daily Express. The newspaper passed his location on to the police, and Biggs was captured on 1 February. Slipper travelled to Brazil, where he attempted to arrest Biggs in a hotel in Rio de Janeiro, with the words "Long time no see, Ronnie." But the Brazilian government turned down the request for extradition, on the grounds that Biggs was to become the father of his pregnant Brazilian girlfriend's child (Michael Biggs, to be born 16 August 1974), and Slipper was forced to return home empty-handed. Famously, Slipper was photographed on the plane home, sleeping next to an empty seat, and was christened "Slip-up of the Yard" by the press.[1]

1981 Scots Guardsmen kidnapping

[edit]

Biggs was abducted by former Scots Guardsmen in 1981 and taken to Barbados. An extradition request was made, but it was denied due to the lack of a treaty between the United Kingdom and Barbados; he was returned to Brazil.

Biggs' return to U.K.

[edit]

Biggs finally returned voluntarily to the UK in May 2001. He was accompanied by Bruce Reynolds on a private plane. Slipper believed[why?] that Biggs should not be released, and regularly appeared in the media to comment on any news item connected to the robbery.

Later police career

[edit]

He was involved in several major investigations such as the Bank of America robbery in April 1975, in which £8 million was stolen from a branch in Davies Street, Mayfair. He was also involved with Britain's first "Supergrass" trial in 1973, in which bank robber Bertie Smalls testified against his former associates in exchange for his own freedom, and then in the trials supported by the evidence of "King Squealer" Maurice O'Mahoney.

Slipper helped to set up the Robbery Squad, which later merged into the Flying Squad.[citation needed]

After the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Robert Mark, initiated an "interchange" policy, which required CID officers to return to uniformed work, Slipper ended his career as a uniformed chief superintendent as head of X Division in Ruislip.

Later life

[edit]

Slipper retired in 1979 after 28 years service, and became a security consultant. He worked in security for IBM UK in the 1980s and 1990s from offices in Greenford, West London. He also enjoyed playing golf at Sudbury.

After his retirement, Slipper returned to Rio and met Ronnie Biggs once again, later remarking that "[Biggs'] villa was bog-standard and in the wrong end of town. His swimming pool was so black with algae even a stickleback couldn't live in it. He was flogging T-shirts to tourists to make a living."[2]

He published an autobiography, Slipper of the Yard, in 1981. He sued the BBC for libel after a television film, The Great Paper Chase, portrayed Slipper (played by Jeremy Kemp) and his colleagues as incompetent. The legal action was financed by Sir James Goldsmith, Slipper won damages of £50,000, his costs (estimated at £400,000), and an apology.

Slipper was awarded the Lord Willis Award in 2004 for his CID work.

He was diagnosed with cancer in 1999 and died 6 years later, aged 81. He was survived by his wife, Anne, and two daughters.

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jack Slipper

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jack Kenneth Slipper (20 April 1924 – 24 August 2005), known as "Slipper of the Yard," was a British police officer who rose to the rank of Detective Chief Superintendent in London's Service, renowned for his investigations into major crimes during the mid-20th century, particularly his pivotal role in the 1963 Great Train Robbery and the ensuing global pursuit of escaped robber . Born in London's East End to working-class parents, Slipper apprenticed as an electrician before serving five years in the Royal Air Force during and after , where he developed skills as a proficient boxer. He joined the in 1951 at age 27, initially serving as a Detective Sergeant in the Commercial Robbery Squad, which he helped establish to combat organized thefts. By the early , Slipper had transferred to the elite , earning a reputation for his dogged determination and innovative tactics, including the introduction of the "supergrass" informant system that facilitated convictions of numerous bank robbers in the 1970s and 1980s. Slipper's career was defined by several high-profile cases, beginning with the Great Train Robbery on 8 August 1963, when a gang stole £2.6 million (equivalent to over £50 million today) from a train in ; as a Detective Sergeant, he participated in the arrests of most participants; Biggs escaped from prison in 1965 and initiated a long international manhunt led by Slipper. In 1966, as a Detective Inspector, he contributed to the investigation of the , where three unarmed police officers were killed in a shootout, leading to the convictions of suspects including Harry Roberts, who received a life sentence. Other significant probes under his leadership included the 1973 underworld murder case, resulting in seven convictions and 118 years of combined sentences, and the 1975 robbery in , where approximately £8 million was stolen in one of London's largest heists at the time. Slipper's most enduring fame stemmed from his decade-long international manhunt for , tracking him from to and culminating in a dramatic trip to Rio de Janeiro, , on 1 February 1974, where he attempted an arrest but was thwarted by local laws, as Biggs' partner was pregnant with their son (born later that year), granting the child Brazilian citizenship and protection against ; Biggs evaded full until his voluntary return to Britain in 2001. Promoted to Detective Chief Superintendent and operational head of the in 1973, he retired in 1979 after 28 years of service, later authoring the memoir Slipper of the Yard in 1981 and working as a security consultant for a construction firm. In recognition of his contributions to , Slipper received the Lord Willis Award in 2004; he died of cancer in Pershore, , survived by his wife Annie of 57 years, two daughters, and five grandchildren.

Early years

Childhood and family background

Jack Slipper was born on 20 April 1924 in , . He received his education at a local school, leaving at the age of 14 in 1938 to begin an as an , a common path for young people from modest circumstances during the . Slipper worked in this trade until 1941, gaining practical skills in electrical work amid the economic challenges of the time. Little is documented about Slipper's immediate family, including any siblings or his parents' occupations, though his early entry into the workforce reflects the working-class environment of in . This background shaped his formative years before the outbreak of prompted his enlistment in the Royal Air Force.

Military service in World War II

Jack Slipper enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1941 at the age of 17, shortly after leaving school and working as an electrician's apprentice. His service during lasted until 1946, during which he trained in the UK before being assigned overseas duties. Following initial training, Slipper served as an electrician in the ground crew for a squadron based at in . In August 1943, he was posted to (now ), where he continued his role supporting air operations as part of an air training group in . During his time there, he maintained aircraft electrical systems for training units, contributing to the Allied war effort in the region. While stationed in , Slipper achieved recognition as the champion among RAF servicemen in the territory, showcasing his physical prowess in inter-service competitions. This accomplishment highlighted his discipline and fitness, skills that would later underpin his demanding police career. Slipper was demobilized in 1946 and returned to civilian life in the , concluding his military obligations after five years of service.

Police career

Initial service and promotions

After completing his service in the Royal Air Force, Jack Slipper joined the Service in April 1951 at the age of 27 as a . His prior military experience, including time as a flight in and success in service , contributed to his suitability for the physically demanding role. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, Slipper's imposing build further aided his transition to policing. Slipper underwent initial training at before being posted as a uniformed officer, first to in and then, after three months, to Chelsea. These early assignments involved general patrol duties in , where he gained foundational experience in and . In 1956, after five years in uniform, he transferred to the (CID) as a Detective Constable, marking his shift toward investigative work. Slipper's career progressed rapidly due to his ambition, hard work, and strong performance in solving cases. By 1962, he had been promoted to Detective Sergeant, coinciding with his assignment to the elite . He continued to advance, reaching the rank of Detective Inspector by 1966, having risen through multiple ranks in just four years—a testament to his dedication and effectiveness in detective roles.

Flying Squad assignment and Great Train Robbery investigation

In 1962, Jack Slipper joined the Metropolitan Police's as a Detective Sergeant, an elite unit specializing in armed robbery investigations across . The Great Train Robbery occurred on 8 August 1963, when a gang of 15 men hijacked a train traveling from to near in , stealing £2.6 million in used banknotes from the high-value package coach. Slipper, then a Detective , was assigned to the specialized Train Robbery Squad under Detective Chief Superintendent , where he contributed to the intensive investigation by conducting house searches at suspected hideouts, interviewing witnesses linked to the gang, and aiding in the arrests of key suspects such as Roger Cordrey and Bill Boal. On 4 September 1963, Slipper participated in the arrest of at his home in , after a match on a tomato sauce bottle from a gang farmhouse provided the crucial lead; Biggs, along with the other convicted robbers, was subsequently tried at and sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment in April 1964. Biggs' escape from Wandsworth Prison in 1965 marked a significant setback in the case, shifting Slipper's involvement toward prolonged international pursuit.

Pursuit of Ronnie Biggs

Following 's initial arrest in the Great Train Robbery investigation in 1963, Detective Chief Superintendent Jack Slipper developed a determined focus on recapturing him after his escape. Biggs escaped from Wandsworth Prison on July 8, 1965, by scaling a 30-foot wall during exercise time, aided by a thrown from outside by accomplices, allowing him and three other to flee. He initially traveled to with his family, living under an assumed identity in , but was located by British authorities in 1969, prompting his relocation to in 1970 where he settled in Rio de Janeiro. Slipper's most notable effort came in 1974, when a tip from the Daily Express newspaper revealed Biggs's location in Rio. Leading a five-officer team from Scotland Yard's , Slipper traveled to and confronted Biggs in his on February 1, famously greeting him with, ", Ronnie." The arrest initially succeeded, but Brazilian authorities released Biggs shortly after due to their citizenship laws, which protected him as the father of a son born in in 1971, granting the child—and by extension the family—constitutional safeguards against . The operation's high-profile failure, compounded by Slipper's lack of prior coordination with Brazilian police, drew international media attention and earned him the nickname "Slipper of the Yard" for his persistent, headline-grabbing pursuits. Slipper's involvement continued into 1981 amid another dramatic turn. Biggs was kidnapped on March 18 from Rio by a group of former British Scots Guardsmen led by Mike Power, who smuggled him by to in an attempt to facilitate his return to the for a bounty. Slipper quickly flew to upon learning of the incident, pressing local authorities for immediate to Britain, but the High Court ruled against it, citing insufficient evidence of criminal intent in the and concerns over Biggs's welfare. Biggs was released and allowed to return to by plane, frustrating Slipper's efforts once more. Over the subsequent decades, Slipper maintained informal surveillance on Biggs through contacts and media reports, viewing the pursuit as an unfinished aspect of his career until retirement. This long-term dedication underscored his role in the case, even as Biggs lived openly in as a minor celebrity. In 2001, Biggs voluntarily returned to the seeking medical treatment for strokes that had left him severely debilitated; he was immediately re-imprisoned to serve the remainder of his sentence but released on compassionate grounds in 2009. Slipper, reflecting on the development, expressed a mix of satisfaction at seeing served and reluctant for Biggs's resilience, stating he had "a sneaking admiration for him" despite the personal toll of the chase.

Other notable investigations

In 1966, Slipper played a key role in the investigation of the , where three unarmed police officers—Detective Sergeant Christopher Head, Detective Constable David Wombwell, and PC Geoffrey Fox—were shot dead in a van on Braybrook Street by Harry Roberts, John Whitney, and John Aidan Murphy during a routine patrol. As a Detective Inspector with the , Slipper contributed to the manhunt that led to the arrests of the perpetrators within days, with Roberts captured hiding in a field near after a tip-off, Whitney surrendering at a , and Murphy arrested shortly thereafter. His efforts helped secure their convictions at the in 1967, where Roberts and Whitney received life sentences for murder, and Murphy was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 12 years. During the early 1970s, Slipper pioneered the use of supergrasses—high-level criminal informants—in major operations, breaking the code of silence among thieves and leading to Britain's first major supergrass trial in 1973 involving bank robber Bertie Smalls. Smalls, facing charges from a 1972 armed robbery, turned informant under Slipper's oversight, providing evidence that implicated 28 accomplices in a series of bank heists, resulting in convictions totaling over 400 years in prison across six months of Old Bailey proceedings. This approach, implemented during Slipper's tenure, marked a significant shift in police tactics against organized crime, though it drew controversy for relying on incentivized testimony. In 1973, as newly promoted Detective Chief Superintendent, Slipper led a joint operation with police investigating an underworld murder of a , resulting in the conviction of seven men and sentences totaling 118 years. In 1975, Slipper led the investigation into the Bank of America robbery at its branch, one of the largest heists in British history, where thieves accessed safety deposit boxes and stole approximately £8 million in cash, jewels, and securities over a weekend. As head of operations, he coordinated the forensic analysis and informant networks that traced the , culminating in the of seven suspects and their sentencing to nearly 100 years combined in 1976. Slipper's Flying Squad experience enabled his leadership in these high-profile cases, culminating in his 1973 promotion to Detective Chief Superintendent in charge of operations, where he oversaw the formation of the specialized Robbery Squad to target armed hold-ups more effectively. This unit, later integrated into the , enhanced proactive policing against robbery syndicates during a surge in such crimes. He retired in 1979 at the rank of after 28 years of service with the .

Later life

Retirement and security consulting

Jack Slipper retired from the in 1979 at the age of 55 after 28 years of service as a chief superintendent. His extensive experience in high-profile investigations, particularly in anti-theft operations and , provided a strong foundation for his transition into security. Following retirement, Slipper served as a security consultant for 16 years, working with major firms including during the 1980s and 1990s. In this role, he specialized in corporate risk assessments and the development of anti-theft measures, drawing on his policing background to advise on preventing and securing assets for businesses. He also consulted for film companies, contributing to security protocols in the entertainment industry. In addition to his consulting work, Slipper engaged in public activities that reflected his professional legacy, including participation in celebrity tournaments and public speaking engagements on policing topics. These pursuits allowed him to maintain connections within circles while enjoying a more leisurely lifestyle, supported by income from personal appearances. Following his retirement from the Metropolitan Police in 1979, Jack Slipper authored his autobiography, Slipper of the Yard, published in 1981 by . The book chronicles his three-decade career, including key investigations as head of the and his extensive efforts to apprehend Great Train Robber after the 1963 heist. Slipper used the to reflect on professional triumphs and frustrations, particularly the high-profile pursuit of Biggs to in 1974, which ended without due to local laws protecting Biggs's family. In the , Slipper pursued a successful libel action against the over the 1986 television drama Slip-Up, which depicted his attempt to capture Biggs in Rio de Janeiro as incompetent and bungled. The program portrayed Slipper and his team as foolish, leading him to sue for ; the case, financed by businessman Sir , culminated in 1990 when the Court of Appeal ruled in his favor, awarding £50,000 in damages plus costs. This victory, detailed in the landmark case Slipper v British Broadcasting Corporation 1 All ER 165, established important precedents on repeated defamatory publications and liability for film dramatizations. Slipper remained active in media during the , appearing in television interviews to discuss his career and the enduring Biggs case. In 1994, he featured on BBC's Pebble Mill program, reflecting on the evolution of TV detectives and sharing insights into his pursuit of Biggs, including a notable satellite-linked confrontation with the fugitive arranged by publishers. By 1999, marking 36 years since the Great Train Robbery, Slipper publicly expressed regrets in an interview, lamenting his failure to secure Biggs's permanent return to the despite locating him in , and emphasizing that Biggs should remain imprisoned if he ever returned voluntarily.

Death and legacy

In his later years, Jack Slipper experienced a decline in health, having been diagnosed with cancer in 1999, from which he initially recovered sufficiently to demonstrate his condition to reporters at his home. He later suffered from a in addition to ongoing effects of the cancer. Slipper died on 24 August 2005 at the age of 81. His funeral took place shortly thereafter, with requesting permission from prison to attend as a of toward his longtime pursuer. Slipper's legacy endures as that of a tenacious detective, renowned for his dogged international pursuit of Great Train Robbery fugitive across two continents over three decades, despite ultimately failing to secure his from in 1974. Obituaries highlighted his unyielding commitment to justice, portraying him as a symbol of traditional policing determination even amid frustrations with legal and diplomatic hurdles. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Metropolitan Police's Robbery Squad and was instrumental in introducing the UK's "" system, which relied on informants to dismantle networks by breaking the among thieves. Slipper's career also underscored the growing importance of international cooperation in , as his efforts to track Biggs involved navigating foreign jurisdictions and highlighted challenges in global fugitive apprehensions that influenced later cross-border policing strategies. His contributions to high-profile investigations, including the 1966 , cemented his reputation as a key figure in mid-20th-century British crime-fighting, earning recognition for advancing informant-based tactics and squad structures still relevant in modern policing.

References

  1. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/25/world/jack-slipper-81-the-detective-of-great-train-robbery-fame.html
  2. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2005/08/25/great-train-robbery-detective-jack-slipper/b2f3890c-046f-4d5b-a94e-7ffa91611675/
  3. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/aug/25/guardianobituaries.ukcrime
  4. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/jack-slipper-8718814.html
  5. http://www.ronniebiggs.com/?page_id=80
  6. http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/16/newsid_2540000/2540073.stm
  7. https://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/624991.slipper-of-the-yard-dies-aged-81/
  8. https://www.thetimes.com/article/jack-slipper-6hrbtblws9n
  9. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4181484.stm
  10. https://www.the-independent.com/news/obituaries/jack-slipper-8718814.html
  11. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/dec/04/ukcrime.features
  12. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1496872/Jack-Slipper.html
  13. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/3mnQTr2BKTvmGK952CqhMfc/ds-jack-kenneth-slipper
  14. http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/8/newsid_2714000/2714055.stm
  15. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-43114372
  16. http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/8/newsid_2706000/2706659.stm
  17. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/5985004/Ronnie-Biggs-released-timetable-charting-his-life-since-the-Great-Train-Robbery.html
  18. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/aug/25/ukcrime.duncancampbell
  19. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25426914
  20. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/oct/03/ukcrime.past
  21. https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2013/mar/25/ronnie-biggs-train-robbery-kidnap
  22. http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/24/newsid_2531000/2531233.stm
  23. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/may/03/8
  24. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1310134.stm
  25. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-aug-26-me-slipper26-story.html
  26. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16180446-slipper-of-the-yard
  27. https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2010/oct/01/media-events-conferences-bbc
  28. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0814322/
  29. https://vlex.co.uk/vid/slipper-v-british-broadcasting-793609237
  30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kvxtlHnR5s
  31. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12276784.if-only-i-had-collared-biggs-the-great-train-robbery-36-years-on-ex-policeman-jack-slipper-expresses-his-regrets/
  32. https://www.npr.org/2005/08/25/4815937/scotland-yards-slipper-dies-at-81
  33. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/biggs-exclusive-let-me-go-to-slippers-funeral-555084
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