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The term ‘constable’ is ancient, and originally meant ‘Count of the Stable’, a position of great responsibility
• The old Parish Constable was chosen by the Parish; the post was unpaid
• He enforced various orders from the Church Wardens and Overseers of the Poor.
• He was responsible for tasks such as dealing with ale houses, beggars, bastardy payments, church and poor rate collections, maintenance of pillories, stocks and the town lock-up.
• Sometimes he was allowed the use of a horse to carry out his duties.
1823 – “To describe and manners and livesof the majority of the people ofWesthoughton for some time back wouldonly be trespassing on your time……”
“In 1855 Westhoughton, on the Wingatesside, was indeed in a very sad condition; the passer-by could not help but be struck with its very wild and uncultivated character”
“Wingates grew nothing but rushes andsingers!” “Wild’ both as to its inhabitantsand its appearance”
Metropolitan Police Act 1829 and 1839
• Established the Metropolitan Police of London (with the exception of the City).
• Replaced the previously disorganized system of parish constables and watchmen
Municipal Corporations Act 1835.
• This obliged boroughs with largepopulations to organise their own police forces.
• The situation in Bolton was a little unusual, as it was policed by two separateauthorities, each claiming the right to police.
• The argument resulted in mass non-payment of rates.
• The Government stepped in and appointed a commissioner to provide a single force
County Police Act 1839
In Lancashire advertisements were made for police officers.
Captain John Woodford was appointed Chief Constable; he was a captain and adjutant of the Duke of Lancaster's Own Militia and formerly of the Rifle Brigade
Cpt. John Woodford
First Chief Constable of Lancashire
It was also decided to appoint
• Two assistant chief constables on salaries of £200 per annum
• 13 superintendents on £100 per annum
• 500 constables who were to receive between 16s or 18s a week, depending on their class, or length of service.
• Two men per division could be sergeants, on 25s a week.
Map of 1849
Police Station Market Street – Part of Mount Pleasant
1851 John Gillett H/M/31 Police Sergeant
1861 Ambrose Lovett H/M/35 Police Constable
1871 James Wood Police Sergeant
1871 Richard Hardaker Police Constable
Westhoughton possessed only one policeman at a time.
His beat included Lostock.
23rd February 1860
The Justices at Bolton County Court considered a petition submitted and signed by
Rev. William Goodall (incumbent of Wingates), John Pilkington,the Rev. Alsop of Westhoughton and a large number of the town’s leading inhabitants.
This asked for consideration be given to the appointment of additional police-officers which were needed as a result of increased lawlessness.
This request was granted
Population of Westhoughton 1801 – 1901
On Monday June 4th 1877, the County Magistrates decided to recommend the Court of Quarter Sessions to erect a new Police Station at Westhoughton.
‘We are sorry that the requirements of the township are tending in THIS direction.’
‘The erection of a building to be devoted to the use of a Social Club or Working Men’s Institute would have been far more creditable to the place, and would have pointed to the moral improvement of the inhabitants.’
Police Station – Wigan Road
Thomas Blackburn
H/M/58 County Police Sergeant Whittle-le-Woods,Lancs
Jane “ Wife 56 Leyland
Albert “ S/U/18 Commercial Clerk Burnley
Samson “ S/U/16 Commercial Clerk Burnley
Norman “ S/7 Liverpool
Florence
“ D/U/24 Elem. School Teacher Burnley
Martin Marrin M.48 PRISONER (coal hewer) Sligo, Ireland
Joseph Sharpe H/M/41 County Police Constable Cumberland
Alice A. “ Wife 38 HorwichFlorence “ D/11 AspullWilfred “ S/7 WH
Lilly A. “ D/6 WHHilda C. “ D/3 WHJohn Morris U/27 (Boarder) County Police Constable Salop
1881 Census – Police Station, 15-17 Wigan Road
Chequerbent Police Station
Last chance to see what the cells looked like before
refurbishment
John George Emmett H/M/39 Police Officer Uxbridge, Middx
Florence Fanny W/M/35 Carlisle, Cumb.
Frances Mary D/15 Cotton Weaver Carlisle, Cumb.
Florence A D/14 Scholar Burnley, Lancs
Elizabeth D/12 Scholar Burnley, Lancs
John George S/9 Scholar Burnley, Lancs
William Henry S/6 Scholar Atherton, Lancs
Isaac E S/7m Chorley, Lancs
1891 Census – 244 Manchester Road, Westhoughton
Misdemeanours, foul deeds and punishments
Westhoughton Recorder
1st March 1885
There were many instances of
Men mistreating their horses
Westhoughton and Hindley Times
13th July 1894
Westhoughton and Hindley Times – 8th
June 1891
Drunk at the Colliery - 1894
A £1 fine would have amounted to almost a week’s wage
Some of the less Savoury Crimes
Daring Robbery
Bamber Brothers - 1841
Suicide by Shooting
John Dean September 1852
The Whittle Murderand Suicide
1869
Ellen Whittle’s Gravestone – Westhoughton Cemetery
Wife Assault
Andrew Dootson – 27 March 1891
Child Maintenance
August 1894
Ryder v Brown
Attempted Poisoning
Mary Crompton - April 1903
Some Other Policemen of the 1800s
Edward Shaw 1841 Kearsley Lane
Peter Ingram 1841 Kearsley Lane
James Abbott 1841 Kearsley Lane
Joseph Sharpe 1881 Wigan Road
John Morris 1881 Wigan Road
Robert Selfe 1891 Wigan Road
John Wilkinson 1891 Leigh Road
Our Most Famous Policeman
Sgt William Brown
and his wife Agnes
……….. And here we are today
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