This is a list of some organised crime figures within the underworld of the United Kingdom.
Name Life Years active Organization Comments ReferencesMorgan Wallen1946–19901970s – 1980sAdkins family One-time partner of Dutch drug czar Klaas Bruinsma, he was allegedly head of the drugs division of the Bruinsma organisation during the 1980s. Implicated in the murder of ex Great Train Robber Charles Wilson. David & (?) Gunnb. 2003 2003 – presentBestwood CartelLed by the Gunn brothers, the Bestwood cartel were the dominant force in the Nottingham underworld responsible for multiple murders. Terry, Tommy and Patsy Adamsb. 19651985–2003Clerkenwell crime syndicateBrothers in charge of the Clerkenwell crime syndicate. Terry Adams considered to be the head of the firm.TERRY ADAMS: THE LAST ETERNALITY GANGSTER AND THE 'GOODFELLAS' TAPES – Rex Williamson-Travis, Courtnews.co.ukJack "Spot" Comer 1912–1996 1930s – 1950s Controlled London's East End bookmaking rackets until the 1950s.Villains' Paradise: A History of Britain's Post-War Underworld: From the spivs to the Krays (John Murray 2006) . (Pegasus 2006) .Tommy Comerford1933–20031990s – 2003Liverpool underworld figure and drug trafficker. One of the first British mobsters to establish an international drug trafficking network in Great BritainGeorge Cornell1928–19661960s – 1966Richardson GangEnforcer who worked for Charlie and Eddie Richardson during the 1960s. A childhood friend of the Kray Twins, he was used as a go-between by the Richardson's until his murder by Ronnie Kray at The Blind Beggar pub in 1966.Cornell shot by Ronnie Kray. Retrieved 23 September 2007.Frankie Fraser1923–20141940s – 1966Richardson GangInitially a bodyguard for well known gangster Billy Hill Fraser later joined the Richardson Gang and served as their enforcer. Freddie Foremanb. 19321948–1990Kray FirmA freelance enforcer for the Kray twins during the 1960s, Foreman was involved in the gangland slayings of Frank "The Mad Axeman" Mitchell and Ginger Marks Mickey Green 1942 – 2020 1970s – 1998 An English Gangster and drug lord who has also held Irish nationality. He has allegedly been one of Britain's leading drug dealers for many years and is said to be worth at least £75 Million. Implicated in the Gangland murders of London crime figures Gilbert Wynter and Solly Nahome.Billy Hill 1911–1984 1920s – 1970s Longtime underworld figure in the London underworld. A partner of Jack Spot during the 1940s, he also organised the Eastcastle St. postal van robbery in 1952 and a £40,000 bullion heist in 1954.Hiscock, John. Gangsters in a class of their own ..., The Daily Telegraph, 21 February 2009. Retrieved 9 December 2014.David Huntb. 19611980s –present"The Hunt Syndicate"English organised crime boss, linked to violence, fraud, prostitution, murder and money laundering.Ronnie and Reggie Kray1933–1995 (Ronnie)1933–2000 (Reggie) 1952–1968Controlled organised crime in London's East End during the 1950s and 60s. Responsible for the murders of George Cornell and Jack "The Hat" McVitie.Thomas "Tam" McGraw1952–20071960s – 2000sScottish mobster involved in extortion, narcotics and drug trafficking in Glasgow from the 1970s until his death in 2007. Was a gangland figure identified during the Glasgow Ice Cream Wars.Britain's top 10 richest (known) drug baronsJack "the Hat" McVite1932–19671950s – 1967Kray FirmDrug trafficker and sometimes associate of the Kray twins. Lured to an underworld party, he was murdered by Reggie Kray following the failed gangland hit on suspected informant Leslie Payne.1969: Kray twins guilty of McVitie murder (BBC archived news 1969) Messina Brothers1930s – 1950sMaltese-born Sicilian mobsters who controlled prostitution and white slavery.Devito, Carlo (2005) Encyclopedia of International Organized Crime. New York: Facts On File, Inc. Desmond Noonan1959–20051980s – 2000sNoonan crime firmA senior member of the Noonan "crime firm" in Manchester, he became its leader following his release from prison in 2003. He and his brother Dominic were responsible for at least 25 unsolved murders during their 20-year reign in Manchester's underworld."Gangland leader 'bled to death", BBC News, 19 April 2005Dominic Noonanb. 19661980s – 2000sNoonan crime firmHead of the Noonan "crime firm" during the 1980s and 90s. The Noonans were the subject of director Donal MacIntyre's 2006 documentary A Very British Gangster.Kenneth Noyeb. 19471980s – 1990sInvolved in the Brink's-Mat robbery in 1983 and subsequently stabbed police officer John Fordham to death."Noye: From street vendor to Mr Big", BBC News, 14 April 2000 Though acquitted for Fordham's death, Noye was convicted of the 1996 murder of Stephen Cameron."Noye: I just struck out", BBC News, 7 April 2000John Palmer1950–20151960s –2010s Known by the nickname "Goldfinger" Due to his involvement in melting down £26 million worth of gold from the 1983 Brink's-mat robbery to try to pass it off as legitimate.Joey Pyle1937–20071950s –1994London gangland boss, and pioneer and promoter of unlicensed boxing. Less well known to the general public than Krays and the Richardsons, of whom he was an associate. A key police target during his criminal career although he seldom served time in prison.Bruce Reynolds1931–20131950s – 1980s Masterminded the 1963 Great Train Robbery. At the time it was Britain's largest robbery, netting , equivalent to £ million today. Reynolds spent five years on the run before being sentenced to 25 years in 1969. He was released in 1978. He wrote three books and performed with the band Alabama 3, for whom his son, Nick, plays.Charlie and Eddie Richardson1934–2012 (Charlie)b. 1936 (Eddie)1950s – 1967Richardson GangBrothers who co-led the Richardson Gang in South London during the 1960s. Rivals of the Kray Twins, they were eventually imprisoned after being implicated in the murder of a South African businessman in 1967.Charles "Derby" Sabini1888–19501920 – 1940The Sabini GangReferred to as the "King of Racecourse Gangs" and leader of the Sabini's, Ottavio Handley, more commonly known as Charles Sabini was a turn of the century era mobster who controlled many of the racecourse betting rackets in London until his imprisonment in 1940.Bobby Cumminesb. 19511960s – 1970s Youngest armed robber in Britain at 16, became a brutal hitman in the 70s but then went to prison, where former gangster Charlie Richardson persuaded him out.
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