This is where you will get the opportunity to learn about London crime history. Discover big names, crimes, gangs, and gangsters. Explore streets and places of interest in the City of London and surrounding boroughs.
Most names included on this list have books written by them, for them, or about them. Some of these books can be found in our books section. We will keep building this list and descriptions so you can learn more about London crime history. As you explore the London crime website, we hope that you will find and learn more on this fascinating topic!
If you look deeper into some of the stories and cases, you find people disagree about the suspects’ guilt or innocence. Yet, you can decide for yourself. We are not the Judge here! This is not about modern London. Other resources online cater to more recent crimes in and around London. Just look at the news or Police websites. We do not condone crime at all. This presentation is simply an exploration of Old London and its history of crimes, gangsters, and villains.

London Crime History A TO Z

Acid Bath Murders

John George Haigh (1909-1949) Killing at least six victims for their money, and then dissolving the bodies in steel drums of sulphuric acid. Haigh also claimed to have a compulsion to drink human blood. Despite trying to establish himself as insane, several doctors examined him before and after trial and concluded that he was in fact sane. Haigh was executed at Wansworth prison in August 1949. Weird fact, Haigh left his clothes to Madame Tussaud’s where a wax dummy of him was created!.

Alfred Solomon (b.1895- d.1947)

Depicted by Tom Hardy in the hit TV series “Peaky Blinders”, with the name of Alfred Solomons (the extra “S” was a fictional addition) the real Alfred Solomon and his brother Harry aided by one of the gangs of London, an Italian gang headed by Darbi Sabini controlled north London and terrorised the horse racing tracks across the country. They were a formidable force, providing “protection” to racegoers, yet robbing others! Alfie Solomon was arrested for shooting the real life Billy Kimber in 1921 and was also arrested in 1924 for shooting two bookies. Solomon, who himself was a bookie, eventually became a police informant in 1930!

In trying to find details of the real Alfie Solomon, it is somewhat difficult to find true facts as things can get “muddied” by the “Peaky Blinders” Character.

Baker Street Bank Job, 11th September 1971

LLoyds bank being the target, a team first tunnelled from a shop two doors away and up through the floor of the vault! they then settled in to drill there way into the safe deposit boxes held there. Apparently, in 1973, four members of the gang were jailed for a total of 44 years, and around £231,000 was recovered. There were rumours that one of the safety deposit boxes contained compromising photos of Princess Margaret and John Bindon, but these were never proven. The Bank Job, a film starring Jason Statham is based on this, and although it may not be absolutely historically correct, it is a good film!

Battle of Stepney 1911

The Battle of Stepney was also known as the Siege of Sidney Street. It was a dramatic and violent confrontation. This event took place in the East End of London on January 3, 1911. This event resulted from a series of criminal activities. It included a botched robbery that had occurred in the earlier weeks.

The battle originated on December 16, 1910. On that day, a gang of Latvian revolutionaries attempted to rob a jewelry shop in Houndsditch. The robbery went disastrously wrong, resulting in the deaths of three policemen and the wounding of two others. One of the gang members, George Gardstein, was also fatally injured during the shootout. The gang included notorious figures such as Peter Piatkow, also known as “Peter the Painter.” They managed to escape. Their escape led to a massive manhunt by the police.

On New Year’s Day 1911, the police received a tip-off. It indicated that two of the gang members were hiding at 100 Sidney Street in Stepney. Their names were Fritz Svaars and William Sokolow. The authorities quickly surrounded the building, and a standoff ensued. The situation escalated when the gang members refused to surrender. This led to a fierce gunfight between the police and the heavily armed revolutionaries.

Large crowds gathered to witness the unfolding drama. The Home Secretary, Winston Churchill, arrived at the scene to oversee the operation. The police, realizing they were outgunned, called in the military for assistance. Soldiers from the Scots Guards were deployed, and a prolonged exchange of gunfire ensued.

The battle reached its climax when a fire broke out in the building, possibly caused by the gunfire. The blaze quickly spread, and despite the efforts of the fire brigade, the building was engulfed in flames. The two gang members inside the building perished in the fire, bringing the siege to a dramatic and fiery end.

The Battle of Stepney was a significant event in British criminal history. It highlighted the challenges law enforcement faced when dealing with armed and dangerous criminals. It marked one of the first modern media spectacles. Newsreel cameras captured the events as they unfolded. The siege is an important episode in the history of London’s East End. It symbolizes the violent and tumultuous nature of the early 20th century.

Battle of the Fratellanza club. Great Bath Street, Clerkenwell

The Darbi Sabini gang was involved in the war between Gangs of London. Their former allies, the Cortesis and the Yiddishers, were also involved. On the 19th November 1922, Darbi and his brother Harryboy were attacked by the Cortesis at the club. The Cortesis lived local to the club, and Darbi and Harryboy were on enemy ground. Darbi was punched and beaten, Harryboy was shot and wounded. Two of the Cortesis were sentenced to three years penal servitude each. Meanwhile, the Sabinis extended their empire to the west end. They installed one armed bandits and took shares in gambling and drinking clubs.

Bedlam/Bethlem/St mary of Bethlehem

A psychiatric hospital, founded in 1247 as a priory, and a hospital since 1330. Bethlehem has moved three times from its original location in Bishopsgate, its famous history has inspired many books and films. Ever wondered where the word for chaos and confusion comes from? Londoners abbreviated Bethlehem to bethlam, which was often pronounced as “bedlam”!
In 1403, the hospital treasurer was found guilty of embezzlement and theft of hospital property, and with an old regime of punishment and religous devotion, chains, locks, stocks and manacles were part of the hospital inventory and usually used to treat the poor and marginalised (of which were believed to be dangerous).

Billy Hill (b.13 December 1911 –d. 1 January 1984)

Billy Hill, born William Charles Hill on December 13, 1911, in St Pancras, London, was a prominent figure in the world of organized crime in London from the 1920s through to the 1960s. Known for his involvement in smuggling, protection rackets, and extreme violence, Hill was one of the most influential gangsters of his time.

Hill’s criminal career began at a young age. Growing up in an established criminal family, he committed his first stabbing at the age of fourteen. He started as a house burglar in the late 1920s and then specialized in smash-and-grab raids targeting furriers and jewellers in the 1930s1. During World War II, Hill moved into the black market, dealing in foods and petrol, and supplying forged documents for deserting servicemen.

One of Hill’s most notorious crimes was the Eastcastle Street postal van robbery in 1952, which netted him and his gang £287,000. He also organized a £40,000 bullion heist in 1954. Despite his criminal activities, Hill managed to avoid long-term imprisonment, serving his last jail term in the late 1940s.

Hill was also known for his connections with other infamous criminals, including the Kray twins, whom he mentored in their early criminal careers. His influence extended beyond his own operations, as he played a significant role in shaping the landscape of organized crime in London.

In 1955, Hill published his memoir, “Boss of Britain’s Underworld,” which was ghostwritten by journalist Duncan Webb. In his memoir, Hill described his criminal exploits and his philosophy on violence, stating that he was always careful to avoid murder.

Hill’s criminal career eventually led to gang warfare in London, particularly with his former partner in crime, Jack Spot. This conflict culminated in a violent attack on Spot and his wife by Hill’s associates, including Frankie Fraser.

Billy Hill passed away on January 1, 1984, leaving behind a legacy as one of London’s most notorious gangsters. His life and crimes have been the subject of numerous books and documentaries, cementing his place in the annals of British criminal history.

Bow Street Runners Founded 1749, disbanded 1839

Bow Street runners was the public nickname for what could be classed as the first British police force. Prior to the Bow Street runners, the law enforcement system were with private citizens, and so Judge Henry Fielding regulated and legalised their activity thus creating the “Bow Street Runners” Founded in 1749 and disbanded in 1839, personnel were merged with the Metropolitan Police.

Brink’s Mat robbery 26th November 1983

The Brink’s-Mat robbery, which took place on November 26, 1983, is one of the most infamous heists in British history. The robbery occurred at the Heathrow International Trading Estate in London, where a gang of six armed men broke into a warehouse operated by Brink’s-Mat, a joint venture between the US security company Brink’s and the London-based company MAT Transport.

The robbers, led by Brian Robinson and Micky McAvoy, gained entry to the warehouse with the help of an inside man, security guard Anthony Black. Once inside, they overpowered the staff, dousing them with petrol and threatening to set them on fire if they did not reveal the combination to the vault. The gang initially expected to find around £1 million worth of foreign currency but instead stumbled upon three tonnes of gold bullion, diamonds, and cash, valued at £26 million (equivalent to approximately £111 million in 2023).

The heist was meticulously planned, with the robbers using a forklift truck to load the gold into a van. Despite the elaborate scheme, the gang faced challenges in disposing of the gold. They turned to criminal Kenneth Noye, who helped them smelt the gold and launder the proceeds.

The aftermath of the robbery was marked by a series of violent reprisals and murders, leading to the legend of a “curse” associated with the stolen gold. The police investigation eventually led to the arrest and conviction of Robinson and McAvoy, who were sentenced to 25 years in prison. However, much of the gold was never recovered.

Dennis Stafford

Fun loving criminal Dennis Stafford was born in 1934, two streets and two months apart from the Kray twins. He admits to some minor scams and was fascinated by the intricacies of robbery, he admits to country house burglary before he graduating to the club scene. At the age of 22, he received a seven year prison sentence for burglary.
In 1967, Dennis Stafford was arrested along with Michael Luvaglio for the killing of Angus Sibbett in what has become known as the “one armed bandit murder”. Much controversy has surrounded this case, while Michael and Dennis have always maintained that they are both innocent. In fact, Dennis Stafford’s legal team have often said it would be impossible to secure a murder conviction today on the evidence produced at his trial.

Eastcastle Street Post office van Robbery 21st May 1952, Eastcastle Street, Central London.

The Eastcastle Street robbery, which took place in May 1952, was one of the most audacious heists in British history. In the early hours of May 21, a Post Office van transporting high-value packets was ambushed on Eastcastle Street, central London. The robbers, seven masked men, executed a meticulously planned operation, using two cars to trap the van. The driver and attendants were forcibly removed, and the van was driven away, later found abandoned near Regent’s Park with 18 of the 31 mailbags missing.

The mastermind behind the raid was believed to be London gangster Billy Hill, with accomplices including George “Taters” Chatham and Terry “Lucky Tel” Hogan. Despite the involvement of over 1,000 police officers and daily updates demanded by Prime Minister Winston Churchill, no one was ever caught.

The robbery, which netted £287,000 (equivalent to approximately £8.3 million in 2019), marked the beginning of a new era of organized crime in the UK. The incident even inspired elements of popular culture, including the plot of the 1955 comedy film “The Ladykillers”.

You can find more details on Wikipedia and the Postal Museum.

Edward Agar(1816-1881)

Master criminal that led the team which carried out “The Great Train Robbery” on the15th May, 1855. Edward Agar was a career criminal with a skill for safe-cracking.

Frankie Fraser (13 December 1923 – 26 November 2014)

From being a bodyguard for the well known gangster Billy Hill, “Mad” Frankie Fraser later teamed up with one of the gangs of London, the Richardson Gang as their enforcer.

In the early 1960s, Fraser met the Kray Twins Rivals, Charlie and Eddie Richardson. According to Fraser, it was the Richardsons who helped him to avoid arrest for the 1963 Great Train Robbery by bribing a policeman.

In 1966, Fraser was charged with the murder of Richard Hart, who was shot at Mr Smith’s club, Catford, But the charges were eventually dropped, but Fraser still received a five-year sentence for affray.

Hatton Garden Heist, Easter weekend, April, 2015.

One of the biggest burglaries of the century from an underground facility at the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company in the Hatton Garden area takes place.
Four experienced elderly men planned and carried out the burglary, and nobody really knows the true value of the haul..(although figures of up to £200 million have been mentioned!).

Henry Fielding

Henry Fielding made significant contributions to law enforcement in England. As a magistrate, he founded the Bow Street Runners, London’s first professional police force, which laid the groundwork for modern policing. His efforts in this field were driven by a deep sense of justice and a desire to combat crime and corruption.

Jack “Spot” Comer b. 12th April 1912, d. 12th March 1996.)

Born Jacob Colmore to Polish parents, The family Name had changed from Comacho to Colmore, and later to Comer. He grew up in Whitechapel. From being in one of the gangs of London at the age of 7, he proved his abilities as a streetfighter, and joined Alfred Solomon’s gang, the Yiddishers. It’s debateable as to how he got his nickname “spot”, some say he was called this because he was always on the “spot” when there was trouble, but others say it’s because he had a mole on his left cheek. He became a powerful force in the East End, making huge money from running drinking clubs and gaming rooms, and taking protection money from businesses across the capital. His rise was a violent one, and he had a broad knowledge of criminals who he could call on for jobs. It was under his leadership that the likes of Billy Hill and The Kray Twins were able to rise through London’s underworld.

Jack the Ripper

Also known as “The Whitechapel murderer” and “leather apron, this unidentified serial killer was linked to the “Whitechapel murders”, active in the areas in and around the Whitechapel district of London between 31 August and 9 November 1888.There were five victims linked to the ripper, but there were other murders in the area up to 1891, police were unable to connect conclusively all the killings to the murders of 1888)
There are many theories as to the true identity of the “ripper”, some have suggested he was a man in regular employment and lived locally while others have considered that the killer was an educated upper-class man, possibly a doctor or an aristocrat from another better classed area.
The Ripper appears in many fictional stories, comic books, games, songs, poems, plays, operas, television programmes and films. There are a wide range of true crime books that cover the Jack the Ripper murders, and they can make for some gruesome reading. As a subject, it is far too big to go into detail on this page, but please follow the link provided for further information if you dare!
Link
Jack the Ripper The Jack the Ripper murders history site. Where they discuss the Whitechapel murders of 1888, outline the full history and assess the various suspects.(fascinating site.. No need to list any more!)

Johnathan Wild

Jonathan Wild, born around 1682 in Wolverhampton, England, was a notorious figure in London’s criminal underworld during the early 18th century. Known as the “Thief-Taker General,” Wild operated on both sides of the law, presenting himself as a public-spirited vigilante while simultaneously running a vast criminal empire.

Wild’s early life was marked by humble beginnings. He was the eldest of five children in a poor family, with his father working as a carpenter and his mother selling herbs and fruits in the local market. Wild attended the Free School in St John’s Lane and was apprenticed to a local buckle-maker. However, his life took a dramatic turn when he moved to London in 1704, initially working as a servant before delving into the criminal world.

In London, Wild quickly learned the ropes of the criminal trade while held in a debtor’s prison. He became a master organizer, directing a large network of thieves and highwaymen, and handling the distribution of stolen goods. Wild’s unique position allowed him to manipulate the legal system to his advantage. He would often collect rewards for valuables he had stolen himself, bribe prison guards to release his associates, and blackmail those who crossed him.

Wild’s most infamous act was his role in the capture and execution of Jack Sheppard, a petty thief and burglar who had become a folk hero for his daring escapes from prison. Wild’s duplicity eventually caught up with him, as his own men began to testify against him. After a failed suicide attempt, Wild was arrested, found guilty of a minor felony, and hanged at Tyburn on May 24, 1725.

Jonathan Wild’s legacy is a complex one. He is remembered as both a criminal mastermind and a manipulator of the legal system, exploiting the lack of an effective police force in London at the time. His life and exploits have been immortalized in literature, including Henry Fielding’s satirical novel “The Life and Death of Jonathan Wild, the Great”.

John Bindon

John “biffo” Bindon is a modern legend. He was an English actor and bodyguard. He had close links with the London underworld. His film-star looks, charm, and talent brought him worldwide exposure. His story reads like the plot of a movie which Big John himself might have landed a part in. Usually typecast in tough-guy roles, his on-screen persona was chillingly close to the real-life one. Big John’s nickname came from his status as a legendary sexual performer. It was no surprise that his encounters with stunning women, most famously Princess Margaret, led to numerous high profile relationships. But most of all, Big John was a warm-hearted, complex man, utterly devoted to those who have him respect and always prepared to be the last line of defence to those closest to him. He came from a poor, working class London childhood. He fraternised with the Krays and the Richardsons. Eventually, he turned his back on crime to play major parts in films like Mick Jagger’s “Performance,” The Who’s “Quadrophenia,” and Michael Caine’s “Get Carter.” In 1978 Bindon was tried for the murder of London gangster Johnny Darke. Bindon pleaded self-defence and was acquitted. However, the case damaged his reputation. Furthermore, being seen as difficult to work with by directors meant his acting career declined. In the 1980’s Bindon became reclusive; he died in 1993 from cancer

Kray Twins

Much has been written about the Brother Ronnie and Reggie Kray. With countless books, films, documentaries and websites devoted to the fascinating lives of the Kray twins, we will go no further than to lead you in the direction of the best Kray twins website which is a full source of all the facts!
Link
theKrays.net

Michael Luvaglio

Convicted alongside Dennis Stafford in 1967 for the murder of his friend, Angus Sibbet on 5th January 1967. Despite pleading not guilty, on 15th March 1967 both men were convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Michael Luvaglio had been actively trying to clear his name and prove his innocence for over 50 years. Since leaving prison in 1979 Michael has dedicated his life to helping those less fortunate, working for more than 25 years with London based charity SHARE.
SHARE stands for Self Help and Rehabilitation for Employment and was established in Wandsworth in 1972. Now, covering many London boroughs, SHARE work with disabled people who need extra help and support in order to achieve their potential and realise their dreams and aspirations. Unfortunately, Michael has since passed away and never realised his dream of proving his innocence in this case.
Link
Michael Luvaglio’s own website Villain or Victim

Millenium Dome Heist

The Millennium Dome robbery, also known as the Millennium Dome diamond heist, was an audacious and meticulously planned attempted robbery that took place on November 7, 2000. The target was the De Beers diamond exhibition at the Millennium Dome in Greenwich, South East London. The exhibition featured some of the world’s most valuable diamonds, including the Millennium Star, a flawless 203.04-carat gem valued at £200 million (equivalent to approximately £425 million in 2023).

The gang behind the heist planned to ram-raid the exhibition and escape via the Thames in a speedboat. The robbers used a JCB digger to smash through the perimeter fence and gates of the Dome, aiming to reach the secure vault where the diamonds were displayed2.

However, the Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad had been tipped off about the plot and had the gang under surveillance for months. On the day of the raid, the police replaced the real diamonds with replicas and positioned armed officers disguised as cleaners inside the Dome. As the robbers attempted to break into the display case using sledgehammers and a nail gun, the police pounced, arresting the gang members on the spot.

The operation, codenamed “Operation Magician,” was the largest in the history of the Flying Squad and was praised for its execution.

One Armed Bandit Murder

The Great Train Gold Robbery 15th May 1855.

The Great Train Robbery of 1855, also known as the Great Gold Robbery, was a meticulously planned heist that took place on the night of May 15, 1855. This daring crime involved the theft of three boxes of gold bullion and coins from the guard’s van of a train traveling from London Bridge station to Folkestone, en route to Paris.

The robbery was orchestrated by a group of four men: Edward Agar, a career criminal; William Pierce, a former employee of the South Eastern Railway (SER); James Burgess, a guard on the train; and William Tester, a railway clerk. The plan was set in motion when Tester and Burgess, who had access to the safes, took wax impressions of the keys and made duplicates.

On the night of the robbery, Agar hid in the guard’s van while Burgess ensured that the necessary equipment was loaded. During the journey, they opened the safes and replaced the gold with lead shot, making off with 224 pounds (102 kg) of gold, valued at £12,000 at the time (approximately £1.4 million in today’s money). The theft was not discovered until the safes were opened in Paris, revealing the lead shot instead of gold.

The investigation into the robbery was extensive, involving multiple police forces from England and France. Initially, there was confusion about where the theft had occurred, with both countries blaming each other. The breakthrough came when Agar, who had been arrested for a separate crime, implicated his accomplices after Pierce failed to provide financial support to Agar’s former girlfriend, Fanny Kay.

As a result, Pierce, Tester, and Burgess were arrested, tried, and found guilty. Pierce received a sentence of two years’ hard labour, while Tester and Burgess were sentenced to 14 years of penal transportation. The Great Train Robbery of 1855 remains one of the most famous and well-executed heists in history, inspiring numerous books and films, including Michael Crichton’s novel “The Great Train Robbery” and its subsequent film adaptation

The Great Train Robbery 1963

The Great Train Robbery of 1963 remains one of the most infamous heists in British history. On the night of August 8, 1963, a gang of 15 robbers, led by Bruce Reynolds, executed a meticulously planned operation to steal £2.61 million (equivalent to approximately £69 million today) from a Royal Mail train traveling from Glasgow to London.

The robbers tampered with the lineside signals to bring the train to a halt at Bridego Railway Bridge, near Mentmore in Buckinghamshire. They overpowered the train driver, Jack Mills, who was struck on the head with a metal bar. The gang then uncoupled the carriages and drove the train to a pre-arranged location where they transferred 120 mailbags filled with cash into waiting vehicles.

The gang’s hideout was Leatherslade Farm, where they divided the loot and attempted to lay low. However, their plan began to unravel when police discovered the hideout, finding incriminating evidence, including fingerprints on a Monopoly board the gang had used to pass the time. This led to the arrest and conviction of most of the gang members, who received sentences of up to 30 years in prison.

Despite the severity of their crimes, the robbers became folk heroes in the eyes of the public, and the heist has been immortalized in numerous books, films, and documentaries. The bulk of the stolen money was never recovered, adding to the enduring mystique of the Great Train Robbery

Trafalgar Square

Home of a rather small police “box”.. Actually fitted into one of the light pillars in the corner of Trafalgar Square, sadly no longer used by the police!

Tyburn.

  The Tyburn Tree, a notorious symbol of public execution in London, stood as a grim reminder of the harsh justice system from the 12th to the 18th century. Located near the present-day Marble Arch, Tyburn was the principal place of execution for over 650 years.

The first recorded execution at Tyburn took place in 1196, marking the beginning of its long and dark history. The site gained notoriety for its use of a unique triangular gallows, known as the Tyburn Tree, which was erected in 1571. This structure allowed for multiple executions simultaneously, with up to 24 people being hanged at once.

Executions at Tyburn were public spectacles, drawing large crowds who treated these events as social gatherings. The condemned were transported from Newgate Prison to Tyburn in an open cart, a journey that became known as the “Tyburn procession”. The atmosphere was often festive, with vendors selling food and drink, and spectators jeering or cheering the prisoners.

The Tyburn Tree was not just a place for hanging; it was also used for the gruesome punishment of hanging, drawing, and quartering, reserved for those convicted of high treason. This brutal method involved hanging the prisoner until near death, disemboweling them while still alive, and then quartering their body.

The last execution at Tyburn took place in 1783, after which the site was abandoned in favour of Newgate Prison. Today, a plaque near Marble Arch commemorates the location of the Tyburn Tree, serving as a stark reminder of London’s macabre past.

World Cup Theft in March 1966..

There’s more to London Crime !

We hope you’ve enjoyed looking at these great London crime history facts, but there’s plenty more to look at around the site. Have a browse around, we have a great collection of the best gangster films, Like books? then there’s our excellent collection of London crime fiction, or if you prefer true crime, we have a collection of true crime and autobiographies. Are you looking for an unusual day out in London? then check out our London Attractions page for some great tours, museums and much more (all crime and history based!)