Alderman goes into crime

PROFESSOR Geoffrey Alderman’s next book will document one of British Jewry’s lesser known contributions to the nation: crime.

He has been elected to a senior research fellowship at the University of London’s Institute of Historical Research to produce what he says will be the first scholarly treatment of the subject.

While American Jewry’s crooks and villains have been investigated by academics, their British counterparts have escaped pursuit until now.

“Ethnic minorities typically legitimate themselves in the eyes of their host communities in one or more of the following ways,” he explained, “Through the acquisition of wealth; through entry into politics; through entry into the professions; through success in the world of entertainment; through success in the world of sport; and through success in the criminal underworld.”