Criminal Boom During Wartime

The war in Britain from 1939 to 1945 led to a significant increase in criminal activity, with crime rates soaring by around 60%. Opportunists seized the cover provided by blackout conditions and wartime chaos to engage in looting and illegal activities. Rationing created a lucrative black market where goods such as food, clothing, and fuel were acquired and sold at exorbitant prices. Notorious criminals like Billy Hill became prominent figures in this underworld, capitalizing on the confusion and scarcity of the war to expand their operations.