Crime & Punishment - Soho Walking Tour

Discover the darker side of Soho on a Crime & Punishment walking tour led by a former Scotland Yard detective who once policed these very streets, first as a young police constable responding to emergency calls and later as a detective.

Beginning near Tottenham Court Road, journey through centuries of crime, punishment and changing London. Explore the old St Giles district, once notorious for poverty, drinking houses and crime, and discover its connections with the condemned making their final journey towards execution.

From there, move into Soho and uncover a very different London. These streets have witnessed murder, organised crime, protection rackets, vice, terrorism and some remarkable police investigations.

Hear about serial killer Dennis Nilsen and his connection with the area. Discover the investigation that used an Identikit image to identify murderer Edwin Bush, who became the last person executed in London. Follow the trail of the wartime Blackout Ripper and explore the world of Soho's gangsters, clubs and criminal underworld.

Visit the area around the Admiral Duncan and hear the story of the 1999 bombing that targeted Soho's gay community. Continue through streets including Greek Street, Frith Street, Wardour Street and Brewer Street as the story moves from historic Soho into the district within living memory.

Around Walker's Court, explore Paul Raymond, the sex industry and the changing nature of Soho's nightlife. Hear about the pubs, clubs and so called near beer establishments that created policing problems quite unlike those encountered elsewhere in London.

Along the way, your guide will draw upon his own experiences policing Soho, including responding to incidents as a uniformed officer and later working as a detective. You'll hear how the area was actually policed, the challenges officers faced and how Soho has changed.

This isn't simply a collection of true crime stories. It's the story of a remarkable part of London told through its crimes, its people, its police and the changing ways society has dealt with crime and punishment.

Know before you go

• Please wear comfortable footwear and dress appropriately for the weather. The tour operates in most weather conditions.
• Questions are encouraged throughout and there will be opportunities to discuss the cases, policing and the history of Soho with your guide.
• The tour discusses real crimes, murder, violence and aspects of Soho’s historic sex industry, so some subject matter may not be suitable for younger children.
• This is an outdoor walking tour covering approximately 1.25 miles (2 km) through Soho and St Giles, with regular stops along the route.