Nail Bomber: Manhunt on Netflix - London 1999 bombings
True Crime

Nail Bomber: Manhunt on Netflix: The horrific impact of 1999 London attacks

The show launches later this month

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Nail Bomber: Manhunt- Netflix’s latest true crime documentary – is set to focus on 1999’s London attacks. 

Talking to witnesses of the three explosions, Nail Bomber: Manhunt will delve into how bomber David Copeland evaded capture, and his eventual arrest. 

As well as this, the film takes a stark look into hate crimes – with each target a deliberately focused-on marginalised community. 

A far-right expert involved in investigating radical groups explains in the trailer that the attacks were a bid to start a race war.

Nail Bomber: Manhunt | Official Trailer | Netflix

What happened during the 1999 London Nail Bombings? 

In April 1999, a far-right extremist set off three homemade nail bombs across London. 

Brixton Market on Electric Avenue was first on April 17th, deliberately chosen for its affinity with the Black population. 

Brick Lane, Spitalfields became targeted the following Saturday in order to target the Asian community who live there. 

Nail Bomber attack London
The Nail Bomber targeted three London streets in 1999 (Credit: Netflix)

Soho’s Admiral Duncan pub was singled out for being a gay bar in the centre of the city. 

On Friday April 30th, at the height of a bank holiday weekend rush, the third bomb went off.

This explosion proved the most devastating, with three dying as a result and four others losing limbs

A woman celebrating her pregnancy was among the victims.

Those who experienced the attacks will give their first hand accounts (Credit: Netflix)

Who was the Nail Bomber? 

The killer was 22-year-old David Copeland, and he was arrested on May 2nd, 1999. 

A Neo-Nazi militant, Copeland was a former member of British National Party (BNP) and the National Socialist Movement. 

Copeland was convicted for all three bombings a year later, and given six life sentences. 

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Meanwhile, in his confession, Copeland said of the Admiral Duncan attack: “I saw the people I was going to maim and kill. 

“I do not feel joy about it, I do not feel sad, I just did not feel anything.”

In 2015, he attacked a prison inmate, where he used razor blades attached to a toothbrush, adding more time to his sentence.  

As a result, he’s not eligible for parole until his late 70s. 

He is serving his sentence in HMP Frankland, Durham.

Nail Bomber on Netflix
The film will shed light on the investigation into the attacks (Credit: Netflix)

Nail Bomber: Manhunt launches on Netflix on May 26. 

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Tilly Pearce
Contributing TV writer

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