Glasgow’s Evolving Urban Landscape and Gang Formation

ABSTRACT

Glasgow has long been synonymous with gangs, yet literature remains limited. This article seeks to contribute twofold by first analyzing how the evolving urban landscape of Glasgow during, and immediately after industrialization, contributed to gang formation and reformation in the form of razor gangs, and then what McLean (2017) terms the Young Street Gang (YSG). Second, by examining both gang types, the author is able to demonstrate how in the corresponding wider urban context, gangs respond in kind and questions whether or not, situated within a new era of urbanization, we are witnessing the emerging new face of Glasgow gangs.

Notes

¹ The open barbers’ razor was a blade which could be folded away and was regularly used by gangs of this period as a method for assaulting rivals. Typically, such attacks were aimed at an opponent’s face and cheek. This practice continues today and in Glasgow is referred to as “slashing” or being “slashed.”

² YSG is an umbrella term used to accurately capture the “gang” type which is referred to most commonly throughout academic literature in regards to the contemporary study of Glasgow gangs. YSG differ significantly in a variety of ways from the razor gangs. For a more detailed discussion, see McLean (2018).

³ See McLean (2018) for more detailed analysis of gang evolution in Scotland.

⁴ Glasgow embraced the tower block in an effort to address the problem of slum housing and overcrowding. This resulted in Glasgow having more tower blocks (defined here as six stories high or more) than any other UK city.

⁵ These four peripheral housing estates are typically referred to as “Glasgow’s big four.” The populations for these estates alone typically ranged from 30,000 residents and above.

⁶ F.T. is a prefix used in conjunction with rival gang names. F.T. stands for “Fuck the.”

⁷ In Glasgow, nightclubs are typically either for under 18s or over 18s. This is in reference to years of age.

⁸ The Roundroom was the unofficial name for the room and made reference to the dance floor being laid out in a circular fashion. The YSG with the greatest strength would hold the middle of the dance floor and contend with would be rivals. Typically, this took place in an aggressive undertone of pushing and barging while music played, but fights would regularly break out should either one of the gangs vying for middle position budge.

⁹ See McLean (2017) and McLean (2018) for detail.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Robert McLean

ROBERT MCLEAN is a lecturer and final year PhD student at the University West of Scotland. His research primarily focuses on gang formation, drug supply, and organized crime in the Scottish context.