1. Enter The Godfather

About this episode

The episode explores the rise of Triad gangs in 1970s Britain and their impact on the Chinese-heritage community.

In 1970s Britain, Chinese-heritage migrants worked long hours in restaurants and takeaways to build their new lives. But as the diaspora established itself, the gangs they thought they’d left behind in Hong Kong began to follow, quietly feeding off the very people they claimed to protect. Back in Hong Kong, Georgie Pai was already a senior member of Wo Shing Wo, one of the most feared Triad societies operating in the region's underworld. Triads are known for their rigid hierarchy, blood-sworn loyalty and reputation for ruthless enforcement. Georgie Pai travelled to the UK on a tourist visa and began working at his parents’ takeaway in Glastonbury. From there, he united scattered Triad factions around the country and recruited loyal foot soldiers. He built an extortion network targeting Chinese communities, with business owners ordered to pay protection cash. Those who refused were brutally punished. Presenter - Livvy Haydock Series Producer - Hayley Mortimer Technical Producer – Richard Hannaford Producers – Patrick Kiteley & Matt Toulson Fixer in Hong Kong – Michelle Chan Music – Andy Simms and Reliable Source Music Journalism Assistants – Hattie Valentine & Ellie Dover…

People in this episode

Hosts: Livvy Haydock, Sam Proffitt, Lorraine Okuefuna, Louise Kattenhorn, Richard Maddock

Topics covered

• Triads
• Chinese diaspora
• crime
• extortion
• migration
• gangs

Keywords

• Triads
• Georgie Pai
• extortion
• Chinese community
• gangs
• migration
• Hong Kong

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Wo Shing Wo

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