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Gangs
Organised crime is now the country's third biggest industry. The number of gangland murders, shootings and kidnappings, along with the levels of drug trafficking, people smuggling and money laundering, have all experienced phenomenal growth. Multi million pound drug deals and vicious turf wars have spread out from the inner cities and now affect even the most rural communities. The day-to-day impact of organised crime on our lives has never been greater. In GANGS, award-winning author Tony Thompson takes us on a gripping journey into the underworld. From Triad human traffickers in Dover and ecstasy factory owners in Liverpool, to Albanian vice barons in London and gun-toting teenage crack dealers in Birmingham, GANGS reveals the inside story of contemporary organised crime.
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First published July 5, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 21, 2016
There is just one word to describe this book or should I add another one 'absolutely shocking'! So many things happen in this world. Most of them are considered legal if done by the government or authorised Organisation. However, most of these things have their illegal counterparts run by different mafias around the world.
Armed robbery is popular in almost every country around the globe. Drug trafficking is also picking up in countries around Africa. In yhe rest of the world it is a big business. Fraud is a specialty of the Nigerians. They lure their victims with a promise of big commissions for there assistance in processing large amounts of cash in offshore accounts belonging to their deceased relatives. Before you know it, you are in a corner and the only way to get out is to submit and give them what they want.
Hi-tech criminal involves credit card theft and identity theft in developed countries. Money laundering which in simple terms means the cleaning of dirty money by a process of placement, laundering, and integration. Its a ring run by different people and at the top of the food chain are drug traffickers and other criminals. Bikers have made a name as the modern mafias and one of the most fearsome and brutal groups in America and Britain today.
People Smuggling is as shocking as it sounds. It is the transportation of people who are looking for a better life outside their countries in places like Europe and America. What they are normally not told is that death is always around ready to take them into the next world if they don't make it to their countries of destination.
The controllers of these activities are almost always disguised as respectable business men, covering their trucks so well, it takes years before the authorities realise what is actually happening. They range from the chinese mafia, albanian mafias, 419 mafias, italian mafias, jamaican mafias, and bikers from different parts of the world.
Armed robbery is popular in almost every country around the globe. Drug trafficking is also picking up in countries around Africa. In yhe rest of the world it is a big business. Fraud is a specialty of the Nigerians. They lure their victims with a promise of big commissions for there assistance in processing large amounts of cash in offshore accounts belonging to their deceased relatives. Before you know it, you are in a corner and the only way to get out is to submit and give them what they want.
Hi-tech criminal involves credit card theft and identity theft in developed countries. Money laundering which in simple terms means the cleaning of dirty money by a process of placement, laundering, and integration. Its a ring run by different people and at the top of the food chain are drug traffickers and other criminals. Bikers have made a name as the modern mafias and one of the most fearsome and brutal groups in America and Britain today.
People Smuggling is as shocking as it sounds. It is the transportation of people who are looking for a better life outside their countries in places like Europe and America. What they are normally not told is that death is always around ready to take them into the next world if they don't make it to their countries of destination.
The controllers of these activities are almost always disguised as respectable business men, covering their trucks so well, it takes years before the authorities realise what is actually happening. They range from the chinese mafia, albanian mafias, 419 mafias, italian mafias, jamaican mafias, and bikers from different parts of the world.
July 16, 2015
Tony Thompson, as Crime Correspondent for the Observer, paints a horrendous picture of International Gang Crime, having placed himself in personal danger interviewing many hardened criminals to get the facts.
Published in 2004, the book covers topics involving Armed Robbery, Drugs (including the growing trend in synthetics), Hi-tech Crime, Bikers, Money Laundering, People Smuggling, Gun Culture and Kidnap – all involving extreme violence.
While most readers will be aware of these topics from media coverage over the decade since publication, the scale and development of many of the issues is a frightening prospect for law-abiding citizens and governments.
Not a pleasant read, but worth the effort to understand the motivational aspect of illegal financial gain on a massive scale. This not only relates to organised criminal gangs, but also appears to be an unfortunate incentive to some teenagers in deprived areas, who see it as a way to easy riches, despite the dangerous risks involved.
Published in 2004, the book covers topics involving Armed Robbery, Drugs (including the growing trend in synthetics), Hi-tech Crime, Bikers, Money Laundering, People Smuggling, Gun Culture and Kidnap – all involving extreme violence.
While most readers will be aware of these topics from media coverage over the decade since publication, the scale and development of many of the issues is a frightening prospect for law-abiding citizens and governments.
Not a pleasant read, but worth the effort to understand the motivational aspect of illegal financial gain on a massive scale. This not only relates to organised criminal gangs, but also appears to be an unfortunate incentive to some teenagers in deprived areas, who see it as a way to easy riches, despite the dangerous risks involved.
August 26, 2007
It's hard to believe that, when reading this book, these events are happening in the same world. Impossibly tragic and often unbelievable. I bought my copy in the UK and have never seen a copy in any bookstores here...but if you can find it, read it.
July 17, 2010
This is a great book and I've lent it to quite a few people who have all told me they really enjoyed it. Thompson certainly is not afraid to get his hands dirty in the name of journalism and he gets some real insight into the unsavory organizations he is investigating.
May 11, 2013
Powerful book! I delved straight into it. definitely a page turner and i loved how each chapter was a story in itself. I have to commend Tony Thompson for his amazing true-crime insights and awesome presentation.
August 1, 2007
these lads keep it hella gangsta
July 27, 2008
a very real book with good perspective. certainly an eye opener
July 7, 2011
a fascinating look into british gangs and crime
January 18, 2017
There’s a new shelf on my Goodreads page - Reference Books for Writers. This book is the first to appear there. You don’t have to be a writer of detective stories to need information about criminal behaviour. A novel set in a gated community in Surrey might feature a fraud; a romantic novel could centre on a naive young woman who is tricked into carrying drugs in her luggage.
The book offers interviews with (unnamed) major criminals and details of astonishing lifestyles. The writer, a crime correspondent at The Observer, “socialised with robbers, thugs, killers and thieves”. One gang member told him that “when it’s time to go to work, you go into a different mindset”. It’s this that Tony Thompson seeks to explain to the reader.
The book contains thirteen different sections, with titles such as “Money-laundering”, “Bikers” and “Heroin”. Some of the cases have names which many will recognise ; Brinks Mat, for example. The Witness Protection Programme is why some of the names of those interviewed are not known. In pursuit of information for the section on “Guns”, Thompson meets a south Londoner with a history of armed robbery, to buy a gun in a pub. It turns out to have been used ( “Dunno if anyone got hurt”) so he is able to avoid doing the deal.
This is very much a journalist’s book. Each section is self-contained, although the writer follows a thread from subject to subject. There is no attempt to offer any academic framework of crime, although a thorough index will help the researcher. As an introduction to the methods used by criminals in different fields, and the psychology of many individuals involved in crime, it is a useful addition to the book-case.
Quotes
“They say crime doesn’t pay but .... If you do it right, it pays beautiful.”
“Even in Gloucestershire, often portrayed as a rural bolt-hole full of quaint cottages .... crack has made an appearance.”
“Mary was in court after being arrested with ten false passports, all with different names and all with her picture inside.”
The book offers interviews with (unnamed) major criminals and details of astonishing lifestyles. The writer, a crime correspondent at The Observer, “socialised with robbers, thugs, killers and thieves”. One gang member told him that “when it’s time to go to work, you go into a different mindset”. It’s this that Tony Thompson seeks to explain to the reader.
The book contains thirteen different sections, with titles such as “Money-laundering”, “Bikers” and “Heroin”. Some of the cases have names which many will recognise ; Brinks Mat, for example. The Witness Protection Programme is why some of the names of those interviewed are not known. In pursuit of information for the section on “Guns”, Thompson meets a south Londoner with a history of armed robbery, to buy a gun in a pub. It turns out to have been used ( “Dunno if anyone got hurt”) so he is able to avoid doing the deal.
This is very much a journalist’s book. Each section is self-contained, although the writer follows a thread from subject to subject. There is no attempt to offer any academic framework of crime, although a thorough index will help the researcher. As an introduction to the methods used by criminals in different fields, and the psychology of many individuals involved in crime, it is a useful addition to the book-case.
Quotes
“They say crime doesn’t pay but .... If you do it right, it pays beautiful.”
“Even in Gloucestershire, often portrayed as a rural bolt-hole full of quaint cottages .... crack has made an appearance.”
“Mary was in court after being arrested with ten false passports, all with different names and all with her picture inside.”
October 10, 2019
A scattering of true crime articles
I can't help but be drawn in by the awkward charm of this series of books and the subject matter. The author does a very good job of presenting a well structured series of journalistic style reports and in cases actual storeys on various modern crime events and case studies on individuals lives being recalled by people involved. This I found the most entertaining aspect to read as it gave the book weight and dimension. It was interesting to find out first hand from people involved at various levels of the criminal trade about there activities warts and all! In some places I found sections of this book a little lack lustre and it felt somewhat rehashed from the other two books in the series I've read. I think this is because for certain chapters there really wasn't a lot of further research development than from other books. I understand this was somewhat necessary to read this book as a standalone but as a series of, it becomes a bit repetative. Non the less it is a very competent, well written and passionately researched book...I like the way the author isn't afraid to get stuck into his subject matter literally in some cases!
I can't help but be drawn in by the awkward charm of this series of books and the subject matter. The author does a very good job of presenting a well structured series of journalistic style reports and in cases actual storeys on various modern crime events and case studies on individuals lives being recalled by people involved. This I found the most entertaining aspect to read as it gave the book weight and dimension. It was interesting to find out first hand from people involved at various levels of the criminal trade about there activities warts and all! In some places I found sections of this book a little lack lustre and it felt somewhat rehashed from the other two books in the series I've read. I think this is because for certain chapters there really wasn't a lot of further research development than from other books. I understand this was somewhat necessary to read this book as a standalone but as a series of, it becomes a bit repetative. Non the less it is a very competent, well written and passionately researched book...I like the way the author isn't afraid to get stuck into his subject matter literally in some cases!
October 25, 2017
A broad look at organized British crime that, unfortunately, seems to be overdramatized to appeal to a wider audience.
Although this is a nice introduction if you're doing research or are interested in learning on the topic.
Although this is a nice introduction if you're doing research or are interested in learning on the topic.
September 14, 2023
An excellent book written 25 years ago, and in much of it, the predictions have come to pass. The threat Albanian trafficking now poses, to the Pakistani heroin gangs. If only governments had read this book in the late 90s.
March 23, 2019
Good
Really interesting read never knew most off this will be buying more off his book s in future well done
Really interesting read never knew most off this will be buying more off his book s in future well done
January 13, 2021
Probably one of my all-time favs, even if now it will be a bit dated.
January 25, 2021
The anecdotes were gathered through personal experience, which was impressive. I'd have liked more context.
January 25, 2023
What a book
Didn't want it to end. I have learned so much from this book. I'd love to read an updated version for 2023
Didn't want it to end. I have learned so much from this book. I'd love to read an updated version for 2023
March 20, 2011
This book is absolutely phenomenal. It reads like the Sunday papers, but you won't put these papers down until you've finished. In Gangs, Thompson takes the reader through a fascinating journey of Britain's underworld. There are chapters on armed robbery, human trafficking, kidnapping, drugs syndicates, money laundering, gun running and more. The most incredible thing is that this is investigative journalism at it's best. It's not some toff sitting behind his desk and speculating. Thompson actually goes in there and meets these people, he goes into prisons and travels to Jamaica, he chats to men who are proud and men who are frightened for their lives, but mostly, he just listens... as is evident by the stories he relays.
If you've ever watched (and enjoyed) Trainspotting, Snatch or Layer Cake, I recommend you read this book. It's as close to the real thing you're going to get.
If you've ever watched (and enjoyed) Trainspotting, Snatch or Layer Cake, I recommend you read this book. It's as close to the real thing you're going to get.
December 27, 2009
A superficial look at the various sectors of Britain's underground economy--robbery, kidnap, drugs, etc. Thomson is a good writer and an excellent journalist but he has his fingers in too many pies here. Each section follows a pattern: Thomson interviews an unsavory character before regurgitating usage statistics (invariably on the rise) and providing a few quick anecdotes.
It's a breezy read but don't expect to gain anything from it. Each chapter can be read in 10-20 minutes, and is as ephemeral as the crack high Thomson experiences firsthand. Thomson doesn't try to do anything other than describe, in vivid detail, the symptoms of a deep societal problem. Call it sensationalism for the ADD generation.
It's a breezy read but don't expect to gain anything from it. Each chapter can be read in 10-20 minutes, and is as ephemeral as the crack high Thomson experiences firsthand. Thomson doesn't try to do anything other than describe, in vivid detail, the symptoms of a deep societal problem. Call it sensationalism for the ADD generation.
August 23, 2015
Having recently binge-watched "Peaky Blinders", I found myself looking for literature on British gangs and underworld characters. Granted, this book was not exactly what I had in mind - I was actually looking for something a bit more historic. Luckily, I soon discovered "Gangs" to be an absolute gem! If ever a book deserved the title page-turner, this is it. It may make you a little scared to step back out onto the streets, but makes up for it with brilliant writing, in-depth research and a wealth of information. Recommended reading for anyone, really.
September 18, 2016
This was a fascinating read. Usually you hear and read about crime from such a high level that it seems to be almost fiction. But this thoroughly engaging account makes it all very real and very scary. To read about gangs and crime from this close is almost surreal. I just can't believe some of the stuff that goes on. And Mr Thompson puts himself right in the middle of it at times. Highly recommended.
July 7, 2012
From the moment I picked this book up, I couldn't put it down. I'd go to bed in the evening and be forced to stop reading by my alarm clock going off. This book gives a walkthrough of the underworld like no other. The feelings, sights and smells are all there for the taking, without the chance of taking one in the back. I've never done crack cocaine, but I do know how it feels!
I've read this book three times along with Tony's other novels and I must say; Nothing Compares.
I've read this book three times along with Tony's other novels and I must say; Nothing Compares.
May 8, 2008
Terrible.
November 1, 2010
Just finished reading this, a good insight into the gang culture in the UK. Needed a bit more depth into some of the serious issues.
December 3, 2011
Lacking of deeper analysis. This book is more like a big newspaper with only one section, crimes.
I was a bit surprised that Lithuania (where I was born and still live) is mentioned.
I was a bit surprised that Lithuania (where I was born and still live) is mentioned.
January 17, 2014
Couldn't put it down
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews