Have a listen to the Gangster podcasts on Sounds. There's three series - the latest one on John Palmer (the guy smelting the gold in Gold). Paints him and Noye in a totally different light than the TV series. A total ****er.
Other series are on scouse drug lord Curtis Warren, who's empire was so big he made it on to The Times' rich list, and Paul Massey, Mr Big of Salford who even ended up running for mayor. Serious criminals, and definately not romanticised by the researcher.
Yeah I’ve read books on both “Cockey” Warren and Massey. Interesting stories