What is the episode about?
The Handskemagerbanden is the focal point of this in-depth episode of Danske Drabssager , where police historian Anders Brandt Lundager takes listeners back to one of the most violent periods in Danish criminal history. The episode focuses on how this criminal group managed to spread fear through extensive robberies, arson, and numerous brutal murders in 19th-century Denmark. As the first part of a two-part series, the narrative establishes the foundation for understanding the gang's structure and the lawlessness that characterized their operations before the legal system took serious action.
The case behind the episode
The case of Handskemagerbanden represents a dark chapter in Danish history, where organized criminals exploited the lack of a modern police force to commit serious abuses against the civilian population. The gang was not just a collection of petty thieves, but a coordinated group that used extreme violence as a primary tool. Throughout the 19th century, they were behind a series of incidents that included everything from simple thefts to complex arson cases, where the victims were often left with no chance of survival. In the episode, Anders Brandt Lundager highlights the socio-economic conditions that created the breeding ground for the gang's emergence, and how their actions forced the Danish authorities to reconsider their methods of combating serious crime. This part of the narrative also sets the stage for later discussions about phrenology and the contemporary theories of the 'born criminal,' which influenced the subsequent trial.
About the podcast
The podcast Danske Drabssager is produced by Bauer Media in collaboration with True Crime Agency. The series is known for its historical accuracy and professional depth, especially when complex cases are presented by experts like Anders Brandt Lundager. With a focus on both historical and modern criminal cases, the podcast manages to combine excitement with police expertise, making it one of the most popular true crime productions in the Danish market.