Cheetham Hill Gang

Cheetham Hillbillies
Founded 1980s or earlier
Founding location Cheetham Hill, Manchester
Years active 1980s to present
Territory Manchester
Membership (est.) 100
Criminal activities Drug trafficking, weapon trafficking, armed robbery, kidnapping, prostitution, extortion, racketeering, contract killing, money laundering
Allies British crime firms

The Cheetham Hill Gang, also known as the Hillbillies, are an organised crime group with origins in the Cheetham Hill neighbourhood of Greater Manchester.[1][2] Most members of the Cheetham Hill Gang grew up or lived in three separate areas of Cheetham Hill, known as the Waterloo Estate, the Halliwell Estate and the Heywood Street Estate.

The Cheetham Hill Gang is well known for loyalty among its members, who stick together as one unit. Hailing from a relatively small part of the town is one reason for the gang's success against rival gangs such as Moss Side who are often plagued by internal disputes.

History

The Cheetham Hill Gang had become established by the early 1980s,[1] following turf wars with other gangs from the Moss Side and Salford areas of Manchester. These conflicts intensified in the early 1990s over drug trade and control of Manchester's club scene. By the mid 1990s, the rivalry was largely taken over by young members of each gang and developed into a war over reputation and respect in the city. During the 1990s, the Cheetham Hill Gang was involved in a turf war with Moss Side's G.C.O.G's (Gooch Close Gang). Members of the Cheetham Hill Gang were known for throwing celebration parties following news of rival Moss Side Gang members being murdered.

The Cheetham Hill Gang's rivalry with Moss Side often spilled into city center bars and clubs. In these establishments, the Cheetham Hill Gang was known as the most ruthless of all Manchester gangs at the time. Its members would force their way into bars and nightclubs to openly sell drugs while drinking champagne and other alcohol without paying. This led to physical clashes with many of Manchester's doormen and club owners who were intimidated by members and feared repercussions. One such incident led to a rival gangster from Moss Side being stabbed in the head during a jungle drum and bass rave at Sankey's Soap Nightclub in Manchester. Another incident led to two leading gangsters from Rusholme being stabbed in the neck outside a club known as the Music Box.In the late 1990s, there were attacks on club doormen at venues such as the Isobar, Piccadilly 21's, The Haçienda, Saturdays, The Gallery, Club Havana and more.[3][4][5][6]

During its peak in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Cheetham Hill Gang were believed to be the top gang in Manchester. Certain areas of Cheetham Hill were considered a "no go" zone for neighbourhood wardens and police. Large numbers of empty social housing units were taken over by the gang and used to sell drugs including a 14 story tower block on the border of nearby Broughton, Salford.

Aside from turf wars, the Cheetham Hill Gang was also involved deep in drug conspiracy. Many of the gang's members have been jailed for their role in selling heroin, and many other drugs. They were notoriously known to sell drugs, that led to a fifty-year investigation on the gang and its members. The drug trade along with their violent crimes, made the Cheetham Hill Gang one of the most feared in the United Kingdom.

With the peak of their activities in the 1990s and mid 2000s, the gang is still active but operating at a much lower profile. Many gang members have now moved into surrounding areas as a result of sustained police operations and activity in the Cheetham Hill area.

Splinter cells

Members are known to split into separate splinter cells but always as Cheetham Hill Gang members. In the 1990s, one of these splinter cells was known as the N.H.C (Niggaz, Honks, Chinks) referring to the ethnicity of its allowed members. There was also a female splinter cell known as the H.B.B (Hillbilly Bitches). Younger members are predominantly referred to as Y.C.H.Gs (Young Cheetham Hill Gang) or L.H.Gs (Little Hill Gang) until they are considered old enough or proven enough to drop the ""Young" or "Little" from their title.[7] Gang members can often be identified by their tattoos and usually have the letters C.H.G. somewhere on their upper body. They are also known for wearing large gold chains and bracelets as evidence of their wealth.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "BBC - Manchester Have Your Say - A street guide to gangs in Manchester".
  2. ↑ "Ex-British Champ's Violent Attack Creates Fear of Turf War".
  3. ↑ "Paul Oakenfold: The Authorised Biography".
  4. ↑ Oliver Swanton (13 August 1998). "A slice of the action". The Independent.
  5. ↑ "Gangchester". Old Skool Anthemz.
  6. ↑ "Saturday Night at the Haçienda (Part Three)".
  7. ↑ Adam Lusher (22 May 2005). "In Smackhead Alley, half a dozen hooded youths melt away. 'CID?' a voice challenges from the shadows". Telegraph.co.uk.

Sources

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