The Kray Twins ♊ Ronald “Ronnie” Kray, and Reginald “Reggie” Kray were notorious English gangsters who operated in London during the 1950s and 1960s. They were identical twins and, along with their older brother Charlie, formed a criminal organization that engaged in a wide range of criminal activities, including robbery, extortion, protection rackets, and violence.
The Kray Twins became infamous for their control over organized crime in the East End of London and were often associated with celebrities and politicians, which contributed to their mystique. However, their activities also involved brutal acts of violence, including several murders.
The most notable crime associated with the Kray Twins is the murder of George Cornell, a rival gang member, in a pub in 1966. Another murder often linked to them is that of Jack “the Hat” McVitie in 1967. The Kray Twins were eventually arrested and convicted of these murders, leading to their imprisonment.
Ronnie and Reggie Kray were sentenced to life imprisonment in 1969. Ronnie Kray died in prison in 1995, and Reggie Kray was released on compassionate grounds in 2000 due to his deteriorating health. He died shortly after his release in 2000.
The Kray Twins’ criminal activities and their influence on the criminal underworld have been the subject of books, films, and other forms of popular culture. They remain infamous figures in British criminal history and the lifestyle of social bandits.
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Inside the murderous lives of the Krays – and why East London is still obsessed
Were Ronnie and Reggie Kray ‘murderous ‘b*****ds’ or ‘criminals with a code’?
Reggie (left) and Ronnie Kray pictured with their mum Violet in their days as amateur boxers.
Nostalgia is a powerful drug
Tom Hardy in his latest roles as Ronnie (left) and Reggie Kray in film, Legend.
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