Manchester's Victorian Police force was not equipped to deal with the large outbreaks of violence caused by the Scuttlers.

Photo - Manchester Police Museum

Scuttling reached an all time high in 1890–1891, and by 1890 more youths were held in Strangeways Prison for scuttling than for any other offence.

An area of Manchester

Gang members fought with many brutal weapons, they all carried knives and wore heavy buckled belts. The thick leather belts were their favoured weapons and were wrapped tightly around the wrist when ready for a "scuttle", so the belt buckle would hit the rival gang members. The use of knives and belts was designed to maim and disfigure rather than to kill.

A man named Alexander Pearson

Arrested in 1892 for scuttling

The gangs were territorial, and fought over streets. A lot of the gangs took their names from streets, such as Holland Street and Hope Street, Salford. This is reflected their gang names; The Bengal Tigers - came from a handful of streets around and including Bengal Street, Ancoats, Manchester.

1870

Gangs were established throughout Manchester and Salford.
Also known as Scuttling gangs, Scuttlers were the members of these gangs.

The gangs consisted of young males in the working-class areas of Manchester and Salford, 

they were between the ages of 14 and 19.