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Green’s Dictionary of Slang

hug, the n.

[SE hug, to grasp tightly]

(UK Und.) the act of garrotting, i.e. sneaking up on a victim, choking them from behind with a forearm across the throat and rifling their pockets with the free hand.

1862		Derbyshire Courier 27 Dec. 3/7: The Song of the Garotter. Oh, meet me by moonlight alone / And then I will give you the hug. With my arm around your neck tightly thrown, / I’m as up to the work as a Thug.
1866		Wild Boys of London I 152/1: If he did do for the Welcher, it was a haxident; a cove can’t alwis regulate the pressure when the hug’s on.

In phrases

put the hug on (v.)

to choke, to throttle.

1862		Morn. Post 18 Dec. 3/3: I hooks on a covey, so smilin’ and smug / Vich Bill comes behind and puts on the hug.
1866		Wild Boys of London I 140/2: You put the hug on so blessed quick and tight.
1949		H.C. Bosman Cold Stone Jug (1981) II 63: The man who puts the hug on you sneaks up from behind. He throws his right arm around your neck [...] making you feel you’re getting strangled. And all the time he’s got his left hand free, enabling him to go through your pockets.