Jack Comer

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Jack “Spot” Comer (born Jacob Colmore; 12 April 1912 – 12 March 1996) was a Jewish gangster who rose to rule London’s underworld. He grew up in Mile End, Whitechapel, in a family that had changed their name to fit in after fleeing pogroms in Poland. Comer joined his first gang at seven and earned the nickname “Spot” for being on the spot during trouble or because of a mole on his cheek. In the tense pre-war years he acted as a protector for Jews facing antisemitism and fought fascists, taking part in the Battle of Cable Street; he served six months in prison in 1937 for grievous bodily harm to a Blackshirt.

After the war he helped form the 43 Group, a Jewish veterans’ force that opposed fascist groups. Comer built a powerful crime empire in London’s East and West Ends, running drinking clubs, gambling rooms and collecting protection money from businesses. He assembled a large network of criminals—muscle, burglars, forgers and more—and, at his peak, could field hundreds of men. He also cultivated influence, with some MPs and police on his payroll.

Comer’s rise brought him into contact with Billy Hill, who later challenged him and began taking over parts of his operations. By the mid-1950s Hill’s moves weakened Comer’s grip. In 1954 Comer attacked a journalist after derogatory articles appeared about him and was convicted of grievous bodily harm, fined £50. In 1955 a knife fight with Albert Dimes led to an arrest, though he was cleared of stabbing. In 1956 Comer and his wife were ambushed near their Paddington home; he was wounded, and Hill pushed to take over the West End. Comer eventually retired from organized crime.

In later years he enjoyed boxing matches and worked as an antique furniture dealer. He died in Isleworth at 83, and his ashes were scattered in Israel. Comer has been portrayed in film and literature, including the 2019 movie Once Upon a Time in London and appearances in songs and novels as “Jack Spot.”