Traitors Within: Adventures in the Special Branch, Scotland Yard

Herbert T. Fitch, ex-Detective Inspector at Scotland Yard, tells the true story of the Special Branch of London’s Metropolitan Police. He was a Special Branch detective from 1905 to 1924. A talented linguist, who spent much of his career investigating anarchists, during the Great War he was tasked with the highly secretive work of catching German spies in Britain.

This is a first-hand account of political policing in Britain in the early twentieth century. Fitch recounts his experiences of being a Special Branch detective at a time when London was the world’s storm-centre of anarchism, including his personal encounters with famous revolutionary figures like Lenin and Trotsky. He investigated both British and foreign nationals who were regarded as political extremists, not only anarchists but also communists and socialists.

Upon the outbreak of War in 1914 Fitch was deployed to anti-spy work. He was responsible for catching numerous German spies in Britain, several of whom were sentenced to death by firing squad at the Tower of London. Police powers were increased during the War and many German and other foreign nationals as well as suspected political extremists were confined in prison camps and/or deported.

Fitch holds strong views about crime and punishment. He favours policy that is tough on crime and is an avid supporter of the death penalty. He believes foreign criminals are responsible for much of the crime in Britain. He puts forward that various forms of crime are dominated by non-nationals, such as drug trafficking, prostitution and the white slave trade.

First published by Hurst and Blackett Ltd. In London in 1933. A popular American edition followed later that year, being published by Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc. in New York. This special edition is published by Lewisham Press, 2020. Traitors Within is a vital primary source for historians of policing, politics and espionage.

Herbert Trevor Fitch was born in London in 1876. Before joining the London Metropolitan Police he served in Africa with the Durban Police and the Johannesburg Police. Following his retirement he became a private detective. He died in 1935 and is buried in an imposing family grave at Brompton Cemetery in London.

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