Diamond Annie And The Forty Elephants Gang
Diamond Annie And The Forty Elephants Gang
This all-female, the real Peaky Blinders, gang tormented London at the beginning of the 20th century.

The history of London's criminal underworld is filled with notorious gangs who have left their mark on the city's streets. One such group was the Forty Elephants, an all-female gang who were active in the early 20th century. Led by the infamous Diamond Annie, the gang was known for their daring heists and ruthless tactics.


Diamond Annie, whose real name was Annie Diamond, was born in the East End of London in 1886. She grew up in poverty and turned to a life of crime at a young age. By the time she was in her 20s, she had become the leader of the Forty Elephants, a gang made up entirely of women.

The name "Forty Elephants" was a reference to the gang's ability to steal large quantities of goods, but also a reference to the then notorious Elephone & Castle area of London. They were known for their shoplifting skills and would often target high-end department stores and boutiques. The gang was also involved in other criminal activities, such as pickpocketing, prostitution, and extortion.

The Forty Elephants were a tight-knit group, and Diamond Annie was a charismatic leader who inspired loyalty and fear in her followers. She was known for her sharp wit and quick thinking, which helped her to evade the police and outsmart rival gangs.

The gang's activities were a source of constant frustration for the police, who struggled to catch them in the act. The women were skilled at disguising themselves and would often work in teams to distract store employees while others stole the goods.

Despite their criminal activities, the Forty Elephants were also known for their fashion sense. They would dress in the latest styles and were always impeccably groomed. This helped them to blend in with the crowds and avoid suspicion.

The gang's reign of terror came to an end in the 1950s, as the police became more sophisticated in their methods of detection. Diamond Annie was eventually arrested and sentenced to ten years in prison. She died in 1960, but her legacy lived on in the stories of the Forty Elephants.

Today, the Forty Elephants are remembered as one of the most notorious all-female gangs in London's history. Their exploits have been the subject of books and films, and their name is still synonymous with daring heists and criminal activity.

In conclusion, Diamond Annie and the Forty Elephants were a formidable force in London's criminal underworld. Their all-female gang was a rare sight in a male-dominated world, and they proved that women were just as capable of committing crimes as men. While their activities were illegal, their legacy lives on as a testament to their daring and resourcefulness.


 

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