Turf protectors (5)

I believe the answer is:
gangs
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">turf protectors</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this in another clue)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for gangs that I've seen before include "Mobs" , "Criminal groups" , "bands" .)