The 40 Elephants
The Forty Elephants were a fiercely organised, all-female crime syndicate based in Elephant and Castle, South London, who ran high-end shoplifting and blackmail operations from the late 1800s to the 1950s. Led by the formidable Alice Diamond, they outwitted police and outlasted many of their male counterparts by turning theft into an art form.
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Key Details
Victims were either luxury department stores and wealthy individuals across London and the UK. Some included: Selfridges, Harrods, Marshall & Snelgrove, Debenhams and Barkers of Kensington.
Perpetrators: Alice Diamond – widely considered the gang's most infamous leader, known as “Diamond Annie.” She was active especially during the 1910s–1930s and ruled with a reputation for violence and sharp fashion.
Maggie Hughes (aka "Babyface Maggie") – a later leader, known for her brutal enforcement of discipline within the gang.
Lilian Goldstein – known for using cars in getaways, helping modernise the gang’s operations.
Mary Carr – an earlier key figure in the gang’s rise to prominence, thought to have led during the late 19th century.
Locations: Primary base: Elephant and Castle, South London – hence the name "Forty Elephants."
Dates: Late 1800s – Gang origins trace back to the Elephant and Castle area of South London. 1916–1920s – Rise to prominence under Alice Diamond’s leadership. 1930s–1940s – Continued operation under successors like Maggie Hughes. 1950s – Activity begins to decline; by the late 1950s the gang had mostly disappeared.
Key Facts
The Forty Elephants were a highly organised, all-female crime syndicate based in Elephant and Castle, London.
They ran from the late 1800s until the 1950s, reaching their peak during the 1920s and 30s.
Members used specially tailored clothing to smuggle out goods – false hems, hidden pouches, and modified coats.
Their crimes included shoplifting, blackmail, extortion, and fencing stolen goods via a wider criminal network.
Led by fearsome women like Alice Diamond, who imposed strict discipline and handpicked recruits.
They avoided detection by working in teams, travelling across the UK to avoid recognition by local shopkeepers.
The gang enjoyed lavish lifestyles – staying in expensive hotels, wearing designer clothes, and hosting wild parties.
They had close ties to male gangs, especially the Elephant and Castle Mob, but operated independently.
Law enforcement struggled to stop them due to their mobility, disguises, and lack of male suspects.
Their downfall came gradually due to increased surveillance, post-war changes in policing, and the decline of major department stores.