A Thief's Heart: The Life and Exploits of George "Taters" Chatham; London's Most Notorious Cat Burglar

Throughout his colorful life, career cat burglar and thief George "Taters" Chatham stole over £100 million worth of goods and spent 35 years in prison

Depicition of George “Taters” Chatham.

During the 1950s, career criminal and thief George “Taters” Chatham had the distinction of being the most well-known cat burglar in London. By then, his calm and calculated method of operations had earned George Chatham the nickname “Taters” which was a cockney slang for cold or cool.

His fearless and steely temperament was ideal for his chosen profession. He seemed to have no apprehension scaling the walls of a high-rise, or lowering himself down from a rooftop. He took pleasure in stealing from London’s wealthy elite, and delighted in thumbing his nose at the law.

He held both the ultra-wealthy and the criminal justice system in equal contempt. He once told a journalist; “I had no respect for the police. If I could outwit them in any way, I would.”