Ever since Marlon Brando donned a leather jacket to portray a charismatic rebel in The Wild One in 1953 Hollywood has had a fascination with outlaw biker gangs.

The latest film to romanticise rebels of the road is The Bikeriders, which boasts a star-studded cast including Tom Hardy, Austin Butler and Jodie Comer. Based on a true story, it is inspired by the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, a gang formed near Chicago in the 1930s and who today retain a fearsome reputation.

“The Outlaws are, in my opinion, one of the most ruthless outlaw motorcycle gangs on the planet right now,” Steve Cook, who has been investigating biker gangs for more than 30 years, said. “I would put them up against anybody for that