WHO'S WHO: THE PLAYERS IN THE BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY

Traditional white gangs: Home-grown gangs are still the mainstay of
organised crime but they are coming under pressure from black, Asian and
Eastern European gangs. Involved in a wide range of crime from fraud scams
to robbery and cross-Channel tobacco and drink smuggling, the white gangs
have also increasingly moved into drug-trafficking and are investing in
smuggling illegal immigrants. The Adams clan dominates parts of North London
linked to drugs, protection and loan-sharking and is the biggest of the
traditional family gangs. Said to have influence in other parts of London
and interests in clubs and pubs. Other, smaller groups in the East End are
involved in distribution of Ecstasy and amphetamines and the rave scene.

Jamaican "Yardies": Based on immigrants and fugitives from Jamaica, where
the Yardie gangs controlled slum areas of Kingston. They first appeared in
the late 1980s, mainly in the Brixton area, and helped to introduce crack
cocaine in Britain. Hard core of about 200 in London, based around Lambeth
and Hackney. Extremely violent and almost always armed with powerful
handguns: there have been 18 black-on-black killings in London this year.

Chinese: Traditionally the Triads have controlled Chinatown in Soho and
other places. Police identify the main gangs as 14K and Wo Shing Wo. They
operate extortion, prostitution and protection rackets on the Chinese
gambling clubs and restaurants using meat cleavers and knives to enforce
power.

They are being challenged by the Snakehead gangs, based on illegal
immigrants from the Fujian province. The Snakeheads operate the networks
bringing illegal immigrants into Britain.

Turks and Kurds: Began to arrive in London more than 20 years ago and
settled in Haringey around the Green Lanes area, south part of Enfield and
areas of Stoke Newington in Hackney. Based on clans in Turkey and Kurdistan.
Control 70 per cent of the 30 tonnes of heroin imported annually and operate
through a network of clubs within their communities.

Albanians: The new gangsters and the most violent. In less than five years
they have ousted British criminals from control of Soho brothels and now run
75 per cent of off-street vice in London. They also control smuggling
immigrants from the Balkans, including women for their brothels. They are
well armed and are now starting to challenge the Turks for control of heroin
supplies.

Colombians: Largely based in parts of South London such as Peckham. The
representatives of the cartels keep a low profile. They act as conduits,
passing cocaine consignments to major traffickers and dealers and oversee
the movement of cash back to South America.

Bangladeshis: This could be the next group to fight for power. Police say
that they are a growing problem, moving into drugs and petty crime. Based
around second-generation teenagers in East London, the gangs call themselves
names such as the Brick Lane Massive and the Stepney Posse. Scotland Yard is
concerned at links to heroin trafficking.