Glasgow razor gangs

Originally, Glasgow had been mainly Protestant, but in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, large numbers of Roman Catholic Irish immigrants came to the west coast of Scotland; drawn by jobs in the local industries.

As the disturbance spread, shop windows were smashed, and police officers were forced to stand guard to prevent looting.

This was reflected in the choice of names such as the Bridgeton Billy Boys, the Calton Entry, and the South Side Stickers.

Many gangs were active in the city; however, two of the most infamous were the former Penny Mobs, the Bridgeton Billy Boys and the Norman Conks.

The Billy Boys adopted a militaristic style of behaviour, marching on parades, forming their own bands, composing their own songs and music, and all dressed in a similar manner.

In the early 1930s, gang numbers started to decrease, mainly due to the work of the chief constable of the City of Glasgow Police, Sir Percy Sillitoe.

Brought in due to his work with similar gangs in Sheffield, his tactic was to recruit big, strong men from rural areas and the Scottish Highlands.