After the Heist sequences a powerful collection of images shot exclusively in Finsbury Park during 2025, with a crime noir storyline inspired by local newspaper reports, to explore the area’s enduring cycles of criminality and violence.

Legendary photographer and Finsbury Park ‘tearaway’, Don McCullin’s career began in 1958 with the national publication of his photograph of a local gang following the stabbing of a policeman. 67 years later in 2025, John Hartley arrived to photograph the area to be met not once, but twice, by ‘murder tents’ as the police began forensics following multiple stabbings. Extensive research, photography and many conversations on the street over the next 12 months followed, producing a unique work of subjective documentary; The Finsbury Park Heist itself is a work of fiction so that After the Heist can be a more engaging and impactful work of truth.

John Hartley grew up in what is now described as 'post-industrial' West Yorkshire (as though it was always part of the plan) and studied Social Political Science at Cambridge University. As the son of an immigrant, his photographic practice centres on migrant communities here in the UK and the diversity of cultures that lie beyond. His practice is founded on the belief that the still image can stop the noise and build empathy and shared humanity – the antidote to xenophobia and mistrust. His work has featured in numerous publications and art and photography exhibitions from the Mall gallery to The Photographer’s Gallery.

A photograph taken from his লন্ডনী Londonis project will feature in PhotoMonth 2026's Unity and Community exhibition at Mile End Pavilion from Wednesday 14th to Sunday 25th October. He’s an established jazz musician in Love for Sale playing over 600 gigs in the last decade.