North London harbors a hidden world of fear, ruled by Turkish crime gangs who wield violence and intimidation with chilling efficiency. The Bombacilar – known as the “bombers” – and the Tottenham Boys, also called the Hackney Turks, have carved out territories where their control is absolute, a shadow government operating within established communities.
Their primary source of income is the ruthless trafficking of heroin, protected by “soldiers” armed with illegally imported firearms from Turkey. These aren’t impulsive street brawls; they are calculated operations, a network of control so deeply entrenched that even notoriously violent Albanian gangs avoid direct conflict.
The gangs’ influence extends far beyond London, reaching into Turkish communities across Europe, including Berlin. They operate not as outsiders, but as woven threads within the fabric of daily life, exploiting vulnerabilities and building a system of dependence.
A teacher, raised in Wood Green, described how these groups “hide in plain sight.” They offer loans to new businesses – cafes, barbershops – often with reasonable interest rates initially. But failure to repay can unleash a terrifying wave of consequences, solidifying their grip on the community.
It’s a system of obligation, a modern-day version of the Mafia’s protection rackets. “It’s just like the Godfather film,” the teacher explained, “if you need a favor, you go to the gang. But they are part of the fabric of society.” Beneath a veneer of normalcy lies a dark undercurrent of drug trafficking and gun smuggling.
The rivalry between the Tottenham Boys, with strong Kurdish ties, and the Bombacilar has fueled decades of bloody feuds. These conflicts aren’t confined to gang members; innocent bystanders are frequently caught in the crossfire.
In May 2024, a shocking incident in Dalston saw a gunman open fire on a restaurant, hitting three men and, tragically, a nine-year-old girl enjoying an ice cream. A stray bullet lodged in her brain, a horrifying illustration of the gangs’ disregard for human life. The shooting stemmed from a dispute originating in a snooker hall fight years earlier.
Police investigations reveal a pattern of recruiting outsiders for violent acts. Jermaine Baker, shot dead in 2015 while waiting near a court, wasn’t part of the Turkish community but was hired for a hit on a Turkish criminal. This highlights the gangs’ willingness to employ anyone for the right price.
The violence continues to escalate. Izzet Eren, a senior member of the Tottenham Turks, was murdered in a Moldovan cafe after his release from prison, believed to be retaliation for the Dalston shooting. This cycle of retribution seems endless.
Past tragedies paint a grim picture. Ahmet Paytak, a shopkeeper, was gunned down in his store in 2013, and baker Erdogan Guzel was killed in a drive-by shooting in 2015, a Bulgarian woman visiting the UK seriously injured alongside him. These aren’t isolated incidents; they are symptoms of a deeply rooted problem.
Residents live in constant fear. “We know better than to say much about it,” one local explained, “in case someone connected with the gangs hears.” The atmosphere is one of silent dread, a community paralyzed by the threat of violence.
The Metropolitan Police have identified the Turkish gangs as “public enemy number one” in terms of illegal firearms trafficking. Last year alone, over 130 guns and 2,500 rounds of ammunition were recovered. The preferred weapon is the Springfield pistol, smuggled directly from Turkey.
Despite police efforts, the gangs’ history and deep community ties make them formidable opponents. Abdullah Baybasin, considered a founding figure of the Bombacilar, established a network of control in the 1990s, operating from his home in Edgware and demanding protection money from local businesses.
Perhaps the most disturbing case is the torture and murder of Turkish DJ Mehmet Koray Alpergin in 2023. He was kidnapped, brutally tortured, and his body dumped in a woodland. The sheer brutality of the crime shocked even seasoned investigators.
A chilling discovery in 2003 – a torture chamber in a basement on Green Lanes – revealed the infrastructure the gangs have built to maintain their reign of terror. The silence from the community speaks volumes about the level of fear they inspire.
“In this community, talking to the police is a danger to us and our families,” one shopkeeper confessed. “We are living in fear.” While police claim to be making inroads, disrupting the gangs with seizures and arrests, the reality on the streets remains grim.
As one cafe worker on Lordship Lane put it, “The gangs have the money and power. We are just pawns in the game. It’s like the Italian mafia rule of silence, many people will not say a word.” The shadow of these gangs continues to loom large over North London, a constant reminder of the hidden violence that lurks beneath the surface.
