
          THE YARDIES:  ENGLAND'S EMERGING CRIME PROBLEM                    

                                By

                          Roy A. C. Ramm
                 Detective Chief Superintendent
            International and Organized Crime Branch
                           Scotland Yard
                          London, England

                                                                  
     In January 1988, the British press published accounts that 
portrayed an upsurge in Jamaican-based crime and the emergence of 
an organized crime group within the United Kingdom described as 
``The Yardies'' or the ``Black Mafia.''  Shortly thereafter, 
Scotland Yard initiated an inquiry to identify the elements of 
Jamaican organized crime, if it existed.                          

     Unfortunately, disturbing information came to light as a 
result of this inquiry.  Distinct similarities existed between 
what was beginning to take place with regard to organized crime 
in the United Kingdom and what had been happening in the United 
States for some time.  The inquiry identified a picture of 
ethnically based crime that was not only growing but was also 
occurring in areas where policing is often difficult and 
dangerous.                                                        

AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE                                         

     During the 1950s, while England was enjoying a post-war 
economic boom, the British Government encouraged immigration to 
the country to fill existing job vacancies.  As a result, many 
Afro-Caribbeans immigrated in search of a better standard of 
living.  They mostly found unskilled employment, and because 
wages were low, sought cheap housing in the run down, inner-city 
areas.  When the country's economic fortunes changed, many in 
this new work force were among the first to feel the recession. 
Second-generation Caribbeans, in particular, found it difficult 
to match achievements with aspirations.                           

     Within the low-income, Afro-Caribbean communities of 
London, crime is not unlike that found in many major American 
cities.  Living in poor-quality housing--often public or 
``project'' housing--the people comprise a disproportionately  
high ratio of the unemployed.  Violence, usually drug related, 
continually plagues residents.                                    

     Over the years, police relations with residents of these 
communities have often been strained, and on occasion, violently 
confrontational.  Policing ethnically sensitive and volatile  
areas was difficult and demanding, although considerable 
progress was made in developing the citizenry's trust in law 
enforcement.                                                      

     However, the relationship between law enforcement and 
low-income, ethnic communities deteriorated rapidly when a new 
influx of immigrants arrived in the United Kingdom during the 
late 1970s.  Unlike those who preceded them, these immigrants did 
not adhere to a Christian work ethic, nor did they come seeking a 
better life.  Rather, they came as criminals, often fugitives, to 
earn money from crime.  Gradually, these ``Yardies'' (1)
distinguished themselves from the local communities.             

YARDIE PROFILE                                                    

     Yardies are generally single males between the ages of 18 
and 35.  They are usually unemployed, often by choice, although 
some will claim to be involved in the music business as singers, 
musicians, record producers or promoters, or disc jockeys when 
challenged.  Although determining the nationality of those who 
arrive is difficult, Jamaica is by far the predominant country of 
origin.  Entering the country as tourists or to ``visit 
relatives,'' Yardies usually assume false identities and carry 
forged credentials.  Many have criminal convictions or are wanted 
by the police.  Because they are known only by their street names 
to their associates, they are extremely difficult to identify. 
Some even travel on false or fraudulently obtained British 
passports.                                                    

PATTERN OF IMMIGRATION                                            

     The United Kingdom became an attractive destination for 
Yardies because of its long-standing association with its former 
colonies in the Caribbean.  Both share a common language and many 
cultural, social, sporting, and religious values-- factors upon 
which legitimate immigration is built.                            

     Unfortunately, with the immigration of convicted criminals 
and fugitives, a criminal infrastructure arose within the 
community that is hostile toward the police and provides a refuge 
for fugitives.  Clubs, bars, and house parties that tend to 
imitate Jamaican street life provide the venues for crime.        

     Even though Yardies find support in these established ethnic 
communities, the United Kingdom is not the destination of choice 
for them; that honor is bestowed on the United States.  However, 
as Jamaican violence and drug trafficking has grown, U.S. 
immigration authorities and other Federal agencies have become 
aware of the dangers posed by Jamaican gangs.  The United States 
has made it increasingly difficult for Jamaican criminals to gain 
entry into the country; consequently, they have been forced to 
look elsewhere, particularly to the United Kingdom.  In many 
cases, though, Britain has simply become the staging point for 
entry into the United States on fraudulently obtained British 
passports.                                                 

YARDIES AND DRUGS
                                                 
     Once in the United Kingdom, the Yardies who assimilate  
into the community usually become involved in drug-related crime. 
Such crime is primarily introspective, that is, it is the 
community itself that is damaged the most.  Drug sales are made 
predominantly to other residents; violence, usually drug related, 
is directed toward those who live there.  Inevitably, and no 
doubt as a direct economic necessity, the crime spills over into 
other areas of the community with burglary and robbery being 
committed outside the defined areas to fund drug abuse.           

     In many ways, the cultural strengths of the Afro-Caribbean 
communities are being debased and abused as vehicles for serious 
crime.  Organized Jamaican reggae parties are used frequently to 
conduct drug transactions.  International travel by couriers and 
traffickers is masked behind the ``international culture of 
music.''  Nonauthorized radio stations are prolific advertisers 
of musical events where drugs are distributed.                    

     The traditional use of marijuana has given way to cocaine 
and ``crack cocaine.''  Here, the methods of production and 
distribution of drugs emulates those of U.S. inner cities. 
Heavily armored doors, alarmed and protected by locks and grills, 
define the perimeters of drug houses.  The use of pagers and 
mobile phones are common among the dealers.  Yet, the greatest 
concern is the increasing use of firearms.                  

FIREARMS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
                                    
     For the most part, British police are unarmed. Also, access 
to firearms by the general public is strictly controlled.  In 
comparison with the United States, shooting incidents are rare.   

     The most common criminal use of firearms is during an armed 
robbery, although discharge of the weapon rarely occurs.  For 
example, in 1987, shots were fired in only 79 of the 18,102 
robbery cases recorded by the Metropolitan Police Force in 
London.  Of the 685 homicides in England and Wales in 1987, 
firearms were used in only 13 percent of the killings, although 
this percentage is distorted by the fact that one man shot 16 
people.                                                           

     Unfortunately, there is a greater willingness among Jamaican 
drug dealers to settle disputes with a firearm.  The fatal 
shooting of ``Yardie Ron'' on the streets of a busy London suburb 
during the course of dispute involving drugs evidences this fact. 
Eight shots were fired from three different weapons, an 
occurrence totally alien to the United Kingdom.  In some areas 
where the unarmed British bobby has struggled to gain the 
confidence of the community, some Yardies routinely wear guns as 
macho displays.                                                 

YARDIE ORGANIZED CRIME                                            

     It is difficult to determine by the intelligence gathered 
whether Yardie or Jamaican crime is organized and comparable to 
other crime groups like the La Cosa Nostra.  Yet, one key element 
of organized crime--providing illegal goods or services--is 
clearly evident in Jamaican crime groups.  Without question, 
these groups are involved in supplying marijuana, cocaine, and to 
a certain extent, prostitutes.  They also use force and violence, 
but here is where the analysis becomes more complex.              

     Traditionally, organized crime has been perceived to rely on 
corrupt public officials to maintain its monopoly.  Yet, Jamaican 
crime groups do not have a monopoly, or anything approaching it. 
Nor is there any substantial evidence of them being involved  
in public corruption or the criminal infiltration of existing 
organizations, such as unions or businesses.  There is also no 
evidence of any intent to establish quasi-legitimate 
corporations as ``fronts'' for criminal activities.               

     By far, the most vexing questions are those of leadership 
and group structure.  Jamaican crime in the United Kingdom does 
not have a select group of senior figures controlling a complex, 
criminal pyramid.  Rather, Jamaican crime groups have relatively 
small, flat organizational structures.  The rise to the top is a 
relatively short step for anyone with access to drugs and the 
willingness to use force.  In most cases, the ``top man'' not 
only imports the drugs but is also personally involved in street 
dealings.                                                         

     Occasional conflicts between groups are manifested in street 
violence, but for the most part, groups support each other.  In 
fact, it is not uncommon for members to belong to more than one 
group.  Groups are not durable and frequently break up and 
reorganize.  The dynamics of the groups are chaotic; the only 
common denominator is the ethnic origin of the members.           

POLICE RESPONSE                                                   

     The lifestyles and cultural traits of those involved in 
Jamaican crime  groups increase the danger to public order. 
Members show limited aspirations for material gains; their 
loyalty is to the streets and the so-called ``front lines.''  One 
effect of this loyalty is that those who are perceived by their 
peers to be successful in crime are constantly providing role 
models for youngsters just becoming involved in crime.            

     Structuring an approach to combat these disparate, mobile 
targets is particularly difficult, especially since the police do 
not want to be denounced as racist and oppressive on one hand or 
oversensitive and ineffective on the other.  One successful 
approach is multiagency operations based on carefully researched 
intelligence, coupled with a sensitivity to cultural issues. 
Also, immigration officers experienced in Afro-Caribbean affairs 
are essential components of operations to determine true 
identities.                                                       

     Planning and intelligence gathering must take into account 
the mobility of the Jamaican criminal, the ``transferable 
culture,'' and the nature of the offenses.  International 
intelligence indices will often reveal true identities and 
outstanding arrest warrants.  Checks of these indices have 
revealed that many suspects in the United Kingdom are also wanted 
for serious offenses in the United States and Jamaica, including 
homicides.                                                        

     Exchange of intelligence information has identified those 
who frequently travel across the Atlantic and who are currently 
suspected of crimes on both sides.  In one instance, a Jamaican 
crime figure was denied entry into the United Kingdom as a result 
of information obtained from a New York law enforcement agency. 
The individual had a narcotics conviction under an assumed alias.  

CONCLUSION
                                                        
     Law enforcement agencies must ensure that Jamaican crime 
groups do not find a niche in society, either by accident or 
design.  For the most part, group members who move constantly 
from one jurisdiction to another do not fall into tidy categories 
law enforcement agencies tend to create.  Early recognition of 
minor characters can prevent their elevation to positions of 
power within their respective organizations.  Only through 
intelligence analysis can today's foot soldiers be prevented 
from becoming tomorrow's generals.                                


FOOTNOTE
                                                          
(1) The term ``Yardie'' is a moniker given by the Jamaican 
people themselves to someone recently arrived in the United 
Kingdom from Jamaica, which is referred to as the ``back yard'' 
(meaning back home). 

