Meet the Real peaky Blinders

The Rise of the Peaky Blinders

Birmingham, England, was granted city status in 1889, thanks to a transformative economic boom. The city underwent significant redevelopment: its worst slums were cleared, and a grand new thoroughfare became a hotspot for trendy shopping. New parks and social spaces were created to project a modern and prosperous image. But despite the cosmetic changes, the conditions in working-class neighbourhoods remained dire. Attempts to impose order on the often chaotic poorer regions of the city had limited impact, leading to clashes between the wealthy elite and the struggling working classes. This widening social divide fostered an atmosphere ripe for the rise of gang violence.

For years, the streets of Birmingham had been plagued by gangs of young men. The newspapers called these groups "sloggers", from the boxing term for a hard, heavy punch. These gangs often engaged in brutal street fights, hurling large stones at each other and brawling on the pavements. When not fighting rival gangs, they frequently terrorised the public, assaulting and robbing unsuspecting passers-by.

Following an attack on a man named George Eastwood on 22nd March 1890, a local newspaper coined the term Peaky Blinders – the first time the label appeared in print.

Who Were the Peaky Blinders?

According to some, "Peaky Blinder" originates from the gang's supposed use of their caps as weapons. This theory alleges that gang members stitched razor blades into the peaks of their flat caps, allowing them to swiftly remove the cap and slash an opponent across the eyes, leaving them blinded.

But, the truth is somewhat less dramatic.

THE TERM IS A FASHION STATEMENT - THEY PULLED THE PEAK OF THE CAP OVER ONE EYE. IT'S A NAME THAT'S INFUSED WITH GANGSTERISM AND VIOLENCE, BUT IT'S A FASHION. NOTHING MORE.

CARL CHINN, AUTHOR OF PEAKY BLINDERS: THE REAL STORY

The TV show Peaky Blinders portrays the gang as a sophisticated, almost heroic group striving to improve the lives of their working-class brethren. However, this is a glamorised version of reality. The real Peaky Blinders were far from organised criminals—they were little more than backstreet thugs whose activities included street fighting, illegal betting, pickpocketing, extortion, and assault. Importantly, they were not a singular gang—"Peaky Blinders" was actually a broad term used to describe various small gangs that operated across the city.

While many of the gangs’ exploits were dramatised for television, one aspect of the show that remained true to life was the extreme violence they engaged in. Much of their brutality arose from territorial disputes and frequent clashes with the police. By the end of the 19th century, the city of Birmingham decided to redouble their efforts to end the bloody reign of the Peaky Blinders.

The Police Fight Back

In 1899, the Birmingham police force appointed a new Chief Constable: Irishman Charles Haughton Rafter, known for his expertise in restoring order to troubled neighbourhoods. Under his leadership, new officers were recruited, and criminals faced much harsher penalties. Instead of serving just a few years for serious offences like murder, gang members now faced sentences of fifteen years or more. After over a decade of the Peaky Blinders’ stranglehold on the city, ordinary working-class citizens, emboldened by a higher police presence, began to push back. The tide was finally turning.

The End of the Peaky Blinders

The police made significant progress in removing criminals from the streets, but their strategy wasn't limited to brute force. Positive community engagement encouraged some gang members to reform. Court records show police officers vouching for the criminals, urging judges to reduce sentences in light of genuine efforts to change.

Additionally, as the original gang members aged, many began to abandon their lives as street thugs. Rather than following in their footsteps, the next generation gravitated towards the new youth clubs that were popping up throughout the city. These clubs offered a healthier outlet for their frustrations and encouraged young men to channel their energy into sports, which proved transformative. Football clubs like Aston Villa and Birmingham City (originally known as Small Heath Alliance) saw a surge in talent, benefiting from the influx of eager young players.

By the 1920s, the Peaky Blinders had disappeared entirely. A century later, their on-screen comeback unexpectedly rocketed them back into pop-culture relevance. However, the show, which casts the fictional Tommy Shelby and his gang as likeable rogues with strong moral centres, distorts the historical reality.

THE DANGER IS THAT, BY MYTHOLOGISING GANGSTERS WHO HELP THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES, WE HAVE HAD TO ADOPT THAT MYTH. REALLY, THEY PREYED UPON THEIR OWN. THERE IS A DANGER THERE THAT WE GLAMORISE GANGSTERISM AND TURN PEOPLE LIKE TOMMY SHELBY INTO ANTI-HEROES WHO ARE STANDING UP FOR THE POOR AGAINST THE ESTABLISHMENT.

CARL CHINN, AUTHOR OF PEAKY BLINDERS: THE REAL STORY