With unemployment and boredom rife in Mega-City One, many citizens, especially juves, join gangs. Many gangs identify with and recruit solely from a single block, whilst others pull in members from all across the city, attracted to the gang’s philosophy, colours, or charismatic leader. Many gangs will simply protect their own territory and try to take control of the local ‘black economy’ of illegal drugs and other banned substances such as tobacco, sugar, Umpty Candy and 20th-century comic books. Other gangs identify with causes or crazes, including the many anti-robot and anti-mutant outfits such as the ‘Neon Knights’ and ‘Purity First’ or anti-Judge and pro-democracy terrorism like the ‘Total War’ group. Others go on to specialise in organised crime such as body-sharking, organ-legging, alien- and perp-running!

The ranks of the many Mega-City One gangs are made up of juves, punks, and lieutenants amongst others. Starting as early as the tender age of six years old, the majority of juves carry melee weapons although some may have low-grade firearms. Low-level gang members, punks are the foot soldiers of the organisation, acting as extra muscle when necessary. Gang lieutenants coordinate the day-to-day activities of the gang and are usually permitted to organise heists and run their own rackets as long as they bring in the creds and continue to show respect and fealty to the boss.