They seem to have some sort of modern Robin Hood status, but what they did was pretty brutal and nasty and benefitted no one except themselves. I don't doubt they had colourful lives, but it feels a bit like they're being glamourised - this funeral report doesn't even mention the innocent men that were left injured and traumatised by robbery:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/20/bruce-reynolds-funeral-ronnie-biggs