POLICE SNIPPETS FROM OLD NEWSPAPERS
I have put a succession of dots ...... where there is more in the report, if you would like the rest, just email me.

4 Sept 1852 - AGREE TO TAKE THE PLEDGE .. William WAY, for being drunk and disorderly at Ventnor, was fined 5/- with 7/6d, or to be made very uncomfortable in the stocks for six long hours.
(IOW Observer)
4 Sept 1852 - A JUVENILE THEFT .. William MATTHEWS, a youngster, for stealing nectraines, the property of the Rev M.SHARP, Ventnor: ordered to pay the costs, 7/6d,  his father engaging to give him a sound beating.  (IW Observer)
1 May 1862 - TALES BY THE POLICE .. Bills were issued all over the town of Newport offering a reward of 20/-,  to discover the person or persons, who spoilt the tails of several horses at Arreton Farm, by plucking or cutting the hair and then stealing it.  (IW Times)
6 Dec 1884 - POLICE FORCE .. At a meeting of the Watch Committee, held on Wednesday, Jesse LEALE of Havenstreet, was appointed Police Constable in the place of PC JACKMAN, resigned.
(IW County Press)
28 Jan 1888 -ASSAULT .. PC Joseph SAVERY, High street, Cowes, was assaulted by John HEWETT, a stranger, a boilermaker, who had come to Cowes looking for employment.  Fined 10/- and 4/- costs.  (IW Advertiser, Ryde & Ventnor Times)
15 Sept 1888 - SUDDEN DEATH .. The town was startled by the news of the death of Mr J. DOLOHAN, an ex-sergeant of the Army and the Metropolitan Police, who fell down dead in the High st.  Mr DOLOHAN  was 65 years of age and a prominent member of the Liberal Club.  He had seen good service in the Crimean Campaign and the Indian Mutiny and after discharge, spent 15 years in the Metropolitan Police Force ...... (IW Advertiser, Ryde & Ventnor Times)
3 Jan 1891 - A NEW CONSTABLE .. At a meeting of the Watch Committee, Ryde, on Thursday night, Mr H.R.WETHERICK of Arthur street, was appointed police constable in the room of PC WATSON, promoted. There were some two dozen candidates.  (IW County Press)
17 Oct 1896 - TRANSFER .. PC FOYLE who has been stationed here at Yarmouth for some time, has this week been removed to Sandown and the best wishes of the inhabitants go with him for his future success and promotion in the force.  IW County Press)
20 Jan 1900 - USE OF THE TELEPHONE .. A youth named Arthur George ERSKINE of Alfred street, Ryde, who absconded from his home on Monday, was the same day apprehended at Cowes by PC BUNDAY.  ERSKINE was charged with having stolen 18pounds belonging to a lodger.  Mr Supt. HINKS of Ryde Police, telephoned the description of the young fellow and this led to his prompt arrest ......   (IW County Press)
1 June 1912 - DEATH .. We record with much regret the death of Mr. George HINKS, ex-superintendent of the Ryde Borough Police Force. After a long and painful illness Mr. HINKS died on sunday at Charlton Horethorne, Somerset, at the age of 69. He joined the Ryde Force in 1869 as a constable, and rose to the position of superintendent by the display of marked energy and ability, succeeding the late Superintendent BURT. When he retired on October 31st 1903, he received a handsome testimonial from the members of the Force. The funeral took place on Wednesday, and among the wreaths was a magnificent floral token from Chief Constable Charles GREENSTREET and the members of the Ryde Borough Police Force. (IW County Press)
11 Mar 1916 - SERIOUS FIRE AVERTED .. Special Constable F. SIBBICK when passing WITHAM Bros cycle and motor works in the high street, noticed a fire in the shop ceiling and aroused the occupier, an electical wire had fused and melted a gas pipe, igniting the escaping gas.  With the assistance of PS SHOTTER they promptly put the fire out.  (IW County Press)

[Home]    [Police links page]