Professor Carl Chinn, a social historian and great-grandson of a real Peaky Blinder, has cautioned against the glamorisation of the criminal gang following the global success of the BBC series. Chinn, who has spent 40 years researching the Birmingham gangs, highlighted the often-overlooked violence, racism, bullying, and sexual assaults committed by the real Peaky Blinders.
Speaking exclusively to LADbible, Chinn expressed concern that fans are adopting the Peaky Blinders style without understanding the true nature of the gangs. 'The real Peaky Blinders were poor men, overwhelmingly they were street traders trying to make a few bob or unskilled labourers in irregular work. They couldn't afford fine clothes,' he said. He warned that the cultural phenomenon risks glorifying a criminal past.
Chinn discovered his great-grandfather, Edward Derrick, was a Peaky Blinder during his research. He described Derrick as 'a violent, abusive, wife-beating, petty thief', adding that he is not proud of the connection. Instead, he pays tribute to the backstreet women of Birmingham, whom he calls the true heroes of the era.
The professor's insights feature in a new documentary, 'Peaky Blinders: The Real Story', available on UK digital platforms. The show's creator, Steven Knight, has been praised by Chinn for bringing attention to Birmingham, though he stresses the drama 'is not reality'.
