The Ghetto Boys have origins since the 1970s where they were founded in Woodpecker Estate (nicknamed "Ghetto Estate") in Lewisham, South London. The gang eventually spread out into neighbouring boroughs, and relied on recruitment of members through local schools. It was during this period that the rivalry between the Peckham Boys and Ghetto Boys would begin. The conflict drew widespread news coverage in 2006. It was reported in 2007 that Peckham Boys and the Ghetto Boys had been in conflict for about 20 years, with the conflict being passed down to each new generation of the gangs. During the 1970s, the African communities in Peckham and Caribbean communities in Deptford had rivalries and conflict, including during local football matches, which would often result in violence. Members of the Ghetto Boys would also travel to Peckham to commit robberies in order to avoid robbing their own community.