The Clerkenwell Crime Syndicate could have inspired Gangs of London (Picture: Rex / Sky)
Gangs of London follows the crumbling Wallace empire as they fend off rival mobsters to take control of the capital’s criminal underbelly.
The first season, which saw Sean Wallace (Joe Cole) set out to avenge his father’s murder, broke records for being the most violent programme on TV, beating the likes of Game of Thrones.
With the second season now in full swing, with villain Koba (Waleed Zuaiter) and the shady investors stepping into the OG family’s shoes, the battle for London is far from over.
There is a crime family that could have been a source of inspiration for Gangs of London’s creative team, which includes The Raid’s Gareth Evans, as they share many similarities with the Wallace clan.
The Adams Family, also known as The Clerkenwell Crime Syndicate and the A-Team, are allegedly one of the most powerful criminal organisations in the UK.
It was first formed by brothers Terry, Tommy and Patsy in the 1980s and, much like the Wallaces, have kept the gang strictly family and close friends.
The Clerkenwell Crime Syndicate were allegedly involved in drug trafficking, which is how the Wallaces make much of their wealth, extortion and murders, with their empire once being worth £200million according to reports.
Tommy Adams is part of the alleged crime family (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)
Sean is captured by the police in Gangs of London (Picture: Christopher Raphael/AMC/Sky UK)
The gang were reportedly linked to various hitmen, including the Jigsaw killer Stephen Marshall, who was sentenced to life behind bars for killing his landlord.
However, in 2007, Terry Adams, then 52, pleaded guilty to money laundering and was handed a prison sentence by the judge.
Elliot shot Sean in the face at the end of season 1 (Credits: Sky UK)
Terry Adams being led to a prison van (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)
After being released in 2010, Adams had further financial legal woes and was reported to be living in social housing in Bloomsbury with his wife.
His brother Tommy Adams was convicted of money laundering and sentenced to seven years in jail in 2017, while Patsy Adams was put behind bars for nine years in 2016 for shooting an associate.
Patsy Adams was sentenced for shooting an associate (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)
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Could the Wallaces meet the same fate as they carry out gruesome murders, or will Sean’s new alliance with the police pay off?
Gangs of London is available to stream on Now.
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