20 Notorious London Gangsters

A photo of a pistol by AILes – Pixabay

20 Notorious London Gangsters

Originally published by Brian in March 2023 and updated by Faith in May 2024.

London gangsters are a cohort of infamous and malevolent individuals who operate within the criminal underworld of the British metropolis. These callous and astute personalities are renowned for their deployment of violence, intimidation, and bribery to dominate various unlawful enterprises such as narcotics trafficking, extortion, and protection rackets.

Their actions are closely scrutinized by law enforcement agencies, yet they often manage to evade justice through their web of unscrupulous officials and associates. Notwithstanding the perils of their lifestyles, many individuals are enticed by the prospect of influence, riches, and prestige that accompany the life of a London gangster. Nevertheless, this path ultimately leads to a life of violence, danger, and frequently a catastrophic conclusion.

1. Jacob Comer

Jacob Colmore was born in Mile End, London, and grew up in a Jewish ghetto street in Fieldgate Mansions, Whitechapel. His father was a Jewish tailor’s machinist who had moved to London from Łódź, Poland around 1900 to escape anti-Semitic pogroms. To assimilate more into English society, the family changed their name from Comacho to Colmore, and later to Comer. Comer was involved in gangs from a young age and gained a reputation as someone to call for protection against anti-Semites.

He was involved in violent encounters with anti-Semites and attacks on Oswald Mosely’s Blackshirts. Comer and his gang became a powerful force in the East End, and he later expanded his control into the West End. He made huge profits from running drinking clubs and gaming rooms and taking “protection” cash from businesses across the capital.

Comer’s real skill was bringing together criminals of different capabilities for ‘jobs’. He had up to a thousand men on call to face any threat to his empire. Comer’s leadership allowed criminals, such as Billy Hill, the Kray twins, and Freddie Forman to rise in London’s underworld.

Comer’s decline began in the mid-1950s, after over a decade at the top of London’s underworld. He was challenged by Billy Hill and other criminals, who systematically attacked his sources of income. Comer was squeezed out of the East and West End and had several encounters with the law, which took up a lot of his time.

He and his wife were viciously attacked by a group of eight men armed with clubs and knives outside their Paddington flat. Comer’s enemies ‘grassed’ him up to the police for attacking a petty criminal, Tommy Falco.

2. George Cornell

George Cornell, alias George Myers, was a member of the notorious criminal outfit, The Richardsons, who specialized in the scrap metal trade. Cornell had a well-established criminal record dating back to his formative years, with repeated incarcerations for a range of offenses such as theft, assault, and malevolent wounding. He eventually became an enforcer for The Richardsons and subsequently switched allegiances to them, having initially been associated with the Kray twins.

Cornell met his tragic end on 10 March 1966, when Ronnie Kray shot him at The Blind Beggar pub in Whitechapel, leading to his untimely death. Kray was later handed a life sentence for the heinous crime. Cornell was laid to rest at the Camberwell New Cemetery in South London and will be forever remembered as the first casualty of Ronnie Kray.

3. Kenneth Noye

Kenneth James Noye, a notorious English criminal, was recently sentenced to life imprisonment for slaying Stephen Cameron in a road rage incident whilst on license from prison in 1996. Noye, a former police informant, had been previously cleared in 1985 of the killing of a police officer on his property, yet was found guilty in 1986 of conspiring to handle stolen goods from the infamous Brink’s-Mat heist.

This resulted in a 14-year incarceration which he served a mere eight years. It was during his release from this sentence that Noye callously took the life of Mr. Cameron. After serving time for the murder, Noye was eventually released on license in 2019.

4. Bobby Cummines

In the annals of English crime history, Bobby Cummines was a formidable figure, notorious for his involvement in armed robbery, protection racketeering, and criminal enforcement. As the leader of “The Chaps,” a gang of enforcers known for their brutal tactics in North London during the 1970s, Cummines was feared by many. However, he rejected the label of a gangster and instead saw himself as a shrewd “businessman of crime.” He embarked on his criminal exploits at the tender age of 16 and became Britain’s youngest armed robber.

After serving an arduous 18-year sentence, Cummines underwent a remarkable transformation by dedicating himself to education and rehabilitation. He lambasted the high-security prison system for enabling the exchange of criminal techniques and connections among the brightest criminal minds. Despite his incarceration, he earned a degree from the prestigious Open University, a testament to his unwavering commitment to self-improvement.

5. Albert Dimes

In the realm of Little Italy, London, George Albert “Italian Al” Arthur Dimeo, a Scottish-Italian criminal and enforcer, was a prominent figure. Born in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire to an Italian father and Scottish mother, Dimeo grew up in Little Italy, London, where he ran Soho’s nightclubs and bars in the 1940s and 1950s. In July 1941, Dimeo was found guilty of attacking Edward Fletcher in a Soho Club on Wardour Street.

During the attack, Harry “Little Hubby” Distleman was stabbed to death by Antonio Mancini. In August 1955, Dimeo was arrested alongside rival gangster Jack Spot during a knife fight in Soho, but neither was charged. Dimeo was involved in arranging a meeting between New York mafiosi and the Corsican Francisci brothers in 1966 regarding investment in London casinos.

Dimeo’s presence in Soho delayed the Kray twins from moving into the area for several years. Dimeo died from cancer in November 1972 at his home in Beckenham, South London. The Kray Twins sent a wreath to his funeral, which was reportedly destroyed by the family’s friends, who believed the association brought to shame.

6. Frankie Fraser

Within the confines of Little Italy, London, Frankie Fraser was a renowned gangster and enforcer. Operating during the 1940s and 1950s, Fraser worked alongside Antonio “Babe” Mancini and Pas Papa, overseeing Soho’s nightclubs, bars, and various criminal operations. In 1941, Fraser was convicted of attacking Edward Fletcher at a Soho Club, during which Harry “Little Hubby” Distleman was fatally stabbed by Mancini.

In 1955, Fraser and rival Jack Spot were arrested during a knife fight, though no charges were filed. Fraser also facilitated a meeting between New York mafiosi and the Corsican Francisci brothers in 1966 to discuss potential investments in London’s casinos, which delayed the Kray twins from moving into Soho. Fraser passed away from cancer at his Beckenham home in November 1972, and the Kray Twins sent a wreath to his funeral, which was ultimately destroyed by family friends who believed it brought shame.

7. Billy Hill

Billy Hill was a notorious criminal in London from the 1920s to the 1960s, known for his involvement in smuggling, protection rackets, and violent crime. He was born into a criminal family and committed his first stabbing at the age of 14. He started as a house burglar and then progressed to smash-and-grab raids on jewelers and furriers. During WWII, he specialized in the black market and forged documents for deserting servicemen. He also participated in protection rackets with Jack Spot.

Hill planned several robberies and smuggling operations, including a postal van robbery and bullion heist, but no one was ever convicted for these crimes. He mentored the Kray twins in their early criminal careers. In 1960s, Hill defrauded wealthy people at the card tables of John Aspinall’s Clermont Club, known as “the Big Edge.” Hill was also involved in property development and purchased the largest nightclub in Tangier for his common-law wife.

8. David Hunt

David Hunt, also known as “The Shadow”, was a notorious gangster in London from the 1920s to the 1960s. He was born into a criminal dynasty and began his career as a house burglar. He later progressed to smash-and-grab raids and specialized in the black market during WWII. Hill was involved in protection rackets with Jack Spot and mentored the infamous Kray twins.

He was a mastermind of robberies and smuggling operations, including a postal van heist and bullion theft. Hill also had a talent for fraud, fleecing the wealthy at John Aspinall’s Clermont Club. In addition to his criminal enterprises, Hill was a shrewd property developer and owned the largest nightclub in Tangier, which he purchased for his common-law wife.

9. The Kray Twins

The Kray twins were infamous identical siblings, who ran a criminal organization called the Firm in the East End of London. They were notorious for their involvement in organized crime, which included acts of violence, robbery, arson, extortion, and gambling.

They hobnobbed with celebrities and politicians and were themselves treated as stars in the 1960s. However, they were eventually brought to justice and sentenced to life imprisonment. Ronnie was eventually institutionalized, while Reggie was released shortly before he died of bladder cancer.

10. Jack McVitie

Jack McVitie, also known as “Jack the Hat,” was a notorious criminal from London in the 1950s and 1960s. He was an enforcer and hitman associated with The Firm and the Kray twins. In 1967, he was hired by Ronnie Kray to kill Leslie Payne, but the job was unsuccessful, and McVitie kept the advance payment.

Later that year, McVitie was invited to a party, where Reggie Kray stabbed him repeatedly in the face, chest, and stomach, resulting in his death. The Krays and other members of their gang were finally arrested and convicted of McVitie’s murder, leading to their imprisonment for life.

11 Charlie and Eddie Richardson

A picture of a gun.

The duo were brothers who headed the Richardson Gang, also popular as the Torture Gang. the members of the gang were feared as they were known for being one of the most sadistic gangs in London. The gang was active in London in the 1960s and was famed for being rivals with the Kray twins, brothers who headed the gang based in South London during that time.

To hide their criminal activities, the group set up a scrap metal business and fruit machine company. Behind the front of a legal business, the gang were known to be very violent and even held mock trials to intimidate and punish those who got on their wrong side. This trial torture was referred to as “taking a shirt from Charlie” where the brothers would give the victim a new shirt because the other one would be bloodied.  It is believed that the victims would have their toes cut with bolt cutters, nailed to the floor and given electric shock until they passed out. The brothers later fell out in 1990 after Charlie accused Eddie of fraudulent business when he was in prison. Charlie died in 2012 from peritonitis while his brother is still alive.

12 Bernie Silver

The gangster who was active in the London underworld between the 1950s and the 1970s dabbled in criminal rackets, prostitution and pornography. He rose up the ranks in “The Syndicate” where he worked with “Big Frank”. The duo started out with a strip club in Bowen Street and by the time the 1960s rolled out, they owned 19 of the 24 strip clubs in Soho.

Silver was first arrested in 1956 and charged with living off immoral earnings but the case did not stand. He was arrested again in 1973 with the same charge and sentenced to six years. There is even a film character based on him in The Bank Job where he is portrayed as Lew Vogel. The gangster died in 2002.

13 Charles “Darby” Sabini

A picture of the Saffron Hill gang.

The gangster headed a Clerkenwell-based gang that was famed for being “king of the racecourse gangs”. The gang ruled the southeast racecourses at the beginning of the 20th century. The bookies were only permitted to keep half of every pound they made, and he had his men protect the best pitches at every horse race. Sabini also ran several nightclubs alongside his racecourse protection business. His organisation was known for having Sicilian gunmen who threatened bookmakers by letting them see their guns. The gangster died in 1950 after settling in Hove.

14 Cortesi Brothers

The Cortesi brothers Augustus, Enrico, Paolo and George were brothers heading a gang in the West end of London from the 1910s up to 1922. The four were originally from Italy and they immigrated to London and set up a gang involved in protection racketeering and bookmakers in London. The four were allies with another Italian gang, the Sabini Gang but their relationship later soured when the Sabinis felt that the brothers were not giving them their share from the gambling and bookmakers.

This feud boiled over in 1922 when gang members were involved in a fight that resulted in several of the members being injured from gunshots fired. Two of the brothers Augustus and Enrico were tried and jailed as a result while Paul and George were acquitted. Their influence and reign dwindled from there.

15 Roy Williams

The mobster was a notorious criminal active in London during the 1980s and the 1990s. Popularly known as the “Prince of Thieves”, Roy led an elaborate organised crime network that went by the name “Rap Crew”. The crew were involved in high-stakes robberies of security trucks and deposit vans. He had expert getaway drivers, excellent planners and heavily armed robbers. The gang’s bold heist was in 1983 when they stole £6 million from Securicor, one of the biggest heists in Britain’s history. Roy then escaped to Sapin but he was captured and sent behind bars where he continued to wield influence until his release in 2014.

16 Bruce Reynolds

A picture of Bruce Reynolds.

The criminal mastermind is famed for being behind the Great Train Robbery in 1963 where they made away with £2.6 million after stopping a royal mail train. The robbery was one of the most prolific heists to happen in British history. Before the heist, Reynolds was a small-time criminal who was involved in various thefts. He was finally arrested five years after the robbery in Torquay where he had been living under false aliases. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison and after his release, he got into drug trafficking leading to his arrest again. He came into the limelight in his later years after writing an autobiography and consulting with films about robberies. The gangster passed away at 81 in 2013.

17 Freddie Foreman

Freddie Foreman popularly known as “Brown Bread Fred” was a famous figure in London’s criminal history. He began his criminal career in the 1940s and by the 1960, Freddie was deeply involved with the Kray Twins. He was tasked with disposing of the bodies for the twins and was even nicknamed “The Undertaker”.

The gangster was involved in very high-profile crimes including helping to dispose of the body of Jack “the Hat” McVitie and taking part in the Security Express heist, for which he was sentenced to a lengthy prison term. Foreman has sought to live a more subdued life in recent years and has voiced regret about his association with the Krays despite his criminal past.

18 Thomas McGraw

Renowned Scottish criminal Thomas “Tam” McGraw, often referred to as “The Licensee,” was engaged in organised crime, featuring extortion, illicit drug trade, and armed robbery. He was born in Lennoxtown on February 19, 1952, and rose to prominence in Glasgow’s criminal underworld. McGraw accumulated substantial riches, owning numerous residences and businesses valued at millions of dollars. He was frequently thought to be a police informant, which helped him avoid punishment. On July 30, 2007, McGraw passed away at his Mount Vernon, Glasgow, home from a heart attack

19 Terry Adams

The underworld.

The gangster nicknamed “Godfather” was the head of the Clerkenwell  Crime Syndicate. He was one of the most notorious gangsters in London that even law enforcement authorities described him as “worse than the Krays”. Even though he had been connected to more than 25 murders, drug deals and torture, Adams avoided being brought to justice until 2007 when he was sentenced to 7 years due to a money laundering charge. He now refers to himself as a former gangster.

20 Joey Pyle

Pyle was an influential figure in London’s criminal underworld. Pyle played the role of a mediator and he was involved with powerful crime families like the Kray Twins and the Richardsons. As a mediator, the gangster would settle disputes between rival gangs. He was also involved in other criminal activities like gambling, extortion and protection rackets. He managed to evade capture for quite a long time but in 1992 he was arrested and charged with his involvement in the drug trade. Pyle was sentenced to 14 years but reduced to nine.