The 40 Elephants 🐘
The Badass Victorian Girl Gang You’ve Never Heard Of: The Forty Elephants
When you think of Victorian London, you probably imagine foggy cobblestone streets, dapper gentlemen in top hats, and fancy ladies sipping tea. But let me introduce you to a group of women who were anything but prim and proper: the Forty Elephants, the most infamous all-female crime syndicate in history.
This gang of audacious women didn’t just dabble in crime—they turned shoplifting into an art form, pulling off high-stakes heists while dressed to the nines in diamonds, furs, and the latest fashions.
Want to know more? You’re in the right place. In this episode of For the Love of History, we dive deep into the daring escapades, fierce leadership, and surprising legacy of the Forty Elephants.
Who Were the Forty Elephants?
Operating from the late 1800s well into the 1950s, this all-female gang hailed from the Elephant and Castle district of London (hence the name). They were masters of disguise, deception, and distraction—swarming department stores and walking out with enough silk, satin, and jewels to rival a royal wardrobe.
Meet the Queenpin: Alice Diamond
The formidable Alice Diamond, also known as "Diamond Annie," was the gang’s fierce leader. Standing at 5'9" (tall for the time) and rocking diamond-encrusted rings that doubled as brass knuckles, Alice turned petty theft into a full-blown criminal enterprise.
Her leadership brought order and sophistication to the gang, complete with a code of conduct and clever heist strategies. These women weren’t just stealing—they were revolutionizing crime.
The Heist Handbook
Forget pickpocketing; the Forty Elephants were in a league of their own. Their ingenious methods included:
Grafter bloomers: Custom skirts with hidden pockets for stashing stolen goods
The Crush: A coordinated swarm to distract shopkeepers
High-stakes distractions: Fake fainting fits (complete with "pregnant" pillows) to snatch luxury items
Their biggest score? A mink coat worth the modern equivalent of £155,000. And they walked out without anyone noticing.
Why They Did It
These women weren’t just after pretty things. Their luxury loot was a statement—a rebellion against a system that boxed them into poorly paid factory work or servitude. With diamonds and pearls, they claimed a social status society tried to deny them.
Listen Now and Join the Heist
Ready to hear the full, scandalous story of the Forty Elephants? From their origins to their Roaring Twenties heyday, we cover it all in this week’s episode of For the Love of History.
🎧 Listen now and get ready to fall in love with history’s most glamorous gang. And hey, if you enjoyed the episode, why not support us on Patreon? Your love keeps this podcast going strong!
📚Resources📚
Female Gangsters: How The Powerful 40 Elephants Gang Robbed London Blind
On the All-Female Shoplifting Gang Who Reigned Supreme in Turn-of-the-Century London
🎬Youtube
Diamond Annie and the Forty Elephants - The All-Female Gang That Terrorized London
🤓Academic Article
Going on the Hoist: Women, Work, and Shoplifting in London, ca. 1890—1940
📚Books
Gangs of London: 100 Years of Mob Warfare
The 40 Elephants by Erin Bledsoe
