Speaker Report by Sue Butler:

Life in crime inspired new career as writer

RAVENSHEAD u3a welcomed a record 100 plus members and guests to its November meeting in St Peter's Church.

Former police officer and author Neil Hallam outlined his family's long history in the police force before summarising his own varied career as a serving officer. His extensive experience included work in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) counterterrorism, as well as anti-corruption (the real Line of Duty). Neil's time with the CBRN team saw him involved in the infamous Salisbury Novichok poisonings. Since retirement, he has been able to draw on his wide experience by working as an advisor to well-known TV programmes, such as Coronation Street and Waterloo Road.

He began his writing career as a journalist, contributing to various specialist police publications. Following a holiday in the Algarve at the time of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, Neil decided to try writing novels. Since then, he has produced many fictional detective stories, loosely based on cases he was involved in. His non-fiction works include a study of gang violence, his father's undercover career as a motorcycle courier in wartime Malaya, local history, and, fuelled by his love of hiking and biking, guides to the Robin Hood Way.

Photos taken at the meeting in November 2024 by Andy Bebbington. Click the picture to enlarge it.

---

Publicity information prior to the meeting:

Speaker: Neil Hallam

Title: Policeman to Crime Writer

Details:

Neil has led an interesting life. An accomplished mountaineer and adventure cyclist, he has travelled to some of the world’s most fascinating places, including the Himalayas and the Mongolian Steppe.

His Police career, in both uniform and as a detective, took some unusual turns. A specialism in CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear) terrorism, involved him in cases like the Alexander Litvinenko assassination and the Salisbury Novichok poisonings. Neil also spent five years leading an anti-corruption team (the real Line of Duty). Already a qualified photo-journalist, Neil’s police and travel experiences led to writing his series of crime thrillers. The subject matter, all adapted from real-world experience, cover diverse subjects, including; people trafficking, nuclear terrorism and the smuggling of rare animals. Neil’s policing experience, and his ability to turn it into drama, led to commissions as a Police Advisor on TV shows, including Coronation Street and Waterloo Road.

His enquiring mind also turned itself to historical research, and a historical novel, based around the iron and coal industries of the Derbyshire village he calls home. After retirement, the enjoyment for travel, and interest in history led to writing guidebooks. The Robin Hood 500 (500RH) is a 500 mile journey from Nottingham, to Robin Hood’s Bay and back, via Yorkshire and Derbyshire’s Peak District.

Neil’s talk From Policeman to Crime Writer weaves his real-life experiences through the creation of his 10 books. Explaining the creative process, and where fact meets fiction.