Britain’s Version of Hell’s Angels: Dangerous Biker Gangs Causing Chaos on UK Streets and the Tenuous Peace Holding Them Back

A hardened criminal has revealed that a ‘fragile truce’ between warring UK biker gangs is hanging by a thread and ‘could go either way.’

For the past ten years, the construction worker from Merseyside has been a part of a well-known biker club and has spent significant time in prison due to his involvement in violent activities.

The dad, who asked not to be named, said although violence between rival clubs had calmed, things could change quickly.

He said: ‘I would describe it as a fragile truce right now. Moving forward things could go either way, which is interesting.’

Recently, there has been a surge in biker-related violence on the streets of Britain, resulting in fights and brutal assaults that have led to perpetrators being incarcerated while their victims require medical attention.

Last year biker Daniel Laponder left a pipe bomb under a van during a biker feud in Scotland. 

Laponder singled out David Rollo as his target because Rollo’s son belonged to the Blue Angels Motorcycle Club. Laponder, who established a separate group within the biking community, received a nine-year prison sentence as a consequence of his actions.

Last year a street brawl broke out between two rival factions in Sheffield. A passing driver filmed the pitched battle, when bikers could be seen brandishing baseball bats and fighting in the street

Last year biker Daniel Laponder left a pipe bomb under a van during a biker feud in Scotland

Laponder targeted David Rollo because his son was a member of the Blue Angels Motorcycle Club. Laponder, who formed a breakaway biker faction, was jailed for nine years

The High Court in Glasgow heard Laponder planted a viable pipe bomb under a BT Open Reach van which was used by Mr Rollo. 

Laponder drenched the van in petrol and then used a remote device to set off the bomb, which contained ball bearings.

On sentencing, Judge Lord Arthurson said: ‘The background circumstances of the index offending are somewhat bizarre, stemming as they appear to from a feud between the Blue Angels Motorcycle Club and the Mad Dogs Motorcycle Club, a rival gang which was set up by you after you left the Blue Angels. That said, the crimes committed by you were of considerable gravity.’

The UK biker scene is currently dominated by the Hells Angels, Bandidos, Mongols, Outlaws, Satan’s Slaves and Blue Angels.

The clubs have a presence in cities and towns across the UK, from Glasgow to Gillingham. The biker, who agreed to speak to the Mail, said that there were still many misconceptions surrounding the clubs, which were shrouded in secrecy and urban myth.

He said: ‘Most people think biker clubs are all about anarchy. But they are not. You have a president and a tier of officers.

‘Members pay subs, and you can be thrown out of a club if you break the rules. Different clubs have different rules about how you conduct yourself. 

‘Some clubs forbid you from leaving a member behind if there is trouble. Other clubs have rules about bikes and things like that.’

The Merseyside man said the criminality that surrounded motorcycle clubs was complicated.

He said: ‘It’s not all guns and drugs. Some members might take drugs, but biker clubs they are not like drug gangs.

‘In the states its different – the biker gangs run strip clubs , bars and distribute drugs. But it’s not like that in the UK.’

However the biker admitted that serious violence could break out between rival British biker clubs.

Last year a street brawl broke out between two rival factions in Sheffield. A passing driver filmed the pitched battle, when bikers could be seen brandishing baseball bats and fighting in the street. 

The biker said; ‘So the Satan’s Slaves attacked the Mongols , who were in their clubhouse. 

‘I was told that the Slaves came second best, and couple of their lads were badly hurt. One of them only recently came out of hospital.’

In May 2022 three members of the Bandidos targeted rival biker David Crawford, who belonged to the Red Chiefs.

In May 2022 three members of the Bandidos targeted rival biker David Crawford, who belonged to the Red Chiefs

Parry used his van to mow down Mr Crawford, who at one point was dragged down the road. He suffered horrendous injuries and died. Pictured: The moment before he crashed into him

Crawford’s Kawasaki motorcycle on a slip-road of the A38 near Plymouth, Devon, after being hit

Clothing worn David Crawford, ripped following a collision on the St Budeaux slip road in Plymouth

The state of Crawford’s helmet after he was crashed into and dragged along the road by Parry

Benjamin Parry, Chad Brading and Thomas Pawley claimed they wanted to speak to Mr Crawford who was wearing a Red Chief jacket on their patch.

But instead Parry used his van to mow down Mr Crawford, who at one point was dragged down the road. He suffered horrendous injuries and died. 

Plymouth Crown Court heard the three men were members of Plymouth Bandidos, while Mr Crawford was affiliated to the Red Chiefs.

The construction worker, who met with Mail at a secret location, explained that some biker clubs attracted recruits for the wrong reasons.

He said: ‘Yes you get the mid-life crisis blokes. They wake up one day and realise they have done nothing with their lives and want some danger. 

‘I can spot them a mile off. And before you know it they are roaring around on bikes and partying with strippers. 

‘Then they are back in the office the next morning with a shirt and tie on. I just found all that really odd and quite funny. 

‘And they you get the blokes you have bullied all their lives. They want to be around bikers for protection and to feel safe.

Red Chiefs biker granddad David Crawford, 59, was hit by a van and dragged for nearly one mile in May 2022

Benjamin Parry, Chad Brading and Thomas Pawley claimed they wanted to speak to Mr Crawford who was wearing a Red Chief jacket on their patch

Plymouth Crown Court heard the three men were members of Plymouth Bandidos, while Mr Crawford was affiliated to the Red Chiefs. Pictured: Bandidos clothing

‘Personally, I am a biker but I am happy to solve my own issues on the street. The big one I went to jail for was not linked to bikers. It is just something that happened to me in my own life.’

The Merseyside dad said that that the reality was the biking community was isolated from other crime groups.

He said: ‘You might see shows on Netflix with bikers fighting with gangsters and drug dealers. That might happen in the states, but not here. 

‘In my experience bikers over here rarely get involved with drug gangs – they have nothing in common. 

‘Being in the Hells Angels means nothing inside – you are on you own. I was fine with that inside. It actually suited me.’

The Mail asked South Yorkshire Police if the mass brawl in Sheffield last May was linked to biker violence.

A spokesperson for the force said: ‘We were called on 25 May 2024 at 10.20pm to Attercliffe Road in Sheffield to reports of a disturbance. 

‘It is reported that a group of people were involved in a disturbance and one man was assaulted. 

‘Emergency services attended and one man was taken to hospital with injuries which are not believed to be life threatening or life altering. 

‘Officers launched an investigation and carried out a number of enquiries. However, the incident has been filed pending further information coming to light, as no suspect has been identified.’