Shropshire Routes to Roots

Crime and detection: Shropshire Police Forces

Bridgnorth

Bridgnorth Chief Constable and some of his men - 1850's (Shropshire Newspapers)

On 18th January, 1836, a Chief Constable and nine constables were sworn in to police the Borough of Bridgnorth. Those officers working at night were paid a bonus, bringing their wages to 15 shillings a week (75p), but they were required to buy their own clothes.

Ludlow

On 5th January, 1836, the Ludlow Watch Committee met, and instituted a borough force. The size of this force is not known.

Oswestry

On 12th February, 1836 the Oswestry Watch Committee met and initially paid lip service to the new regulations. They elected their two previous "constables " as the local police force, but without any further training. The two men were allowed to call on "special constables" in times of riot. In 1861, Oswestry signed a contract to become part of the Shropshire County Force, with an increase of of one Sergeant and three constables.

Did Charles Dickens get his inspiration from Oswestry whilst writing "Oliver Twist"? The Police Superintendent between 1857 and 1861 was non other than Bill Sykes! He was, however, most unlike his fictional namesake, being described as "a splendid specimen of a man; so very well thought of in the town".

Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury Summer Helmets - 1900 (West Mercia Police Archives) Larger image, in a new window [57kb]

Shrewsbury Cycling Corps - 1900 (West Mercia Police Archives) Larger image, in a new window [29kb]

On 5th February, 1836, the Shrewsbury Watch Committee appointed thirteen constables for the town within the bridges. The suburbs - including Frankwell, Coleham and Abbey Foregate - had to fend for themselves as unpoliced "dens of sin and iniquity", until they were incorporated in 1844.

Shropshire County

With the new police forces sprouting in the Boroughs, many criminals left the cities for the countryside, where they could carry on virtually unmolested. The Magistrates of Shropshire were asking for a police force as early as 1831, but little came of it. The Royal Commission of 1836, recommended County Forces. However, the government still did nothing until the civil unrest of the Chartist movement caused great alarm, precipitating action and the passing of the Rural Constabulary Act in August 1839. This Act authorised County Forces.

Shropshire County Police Force - 1860 (West Mercia Police Archives)

A new era had dawned with the accession of Queen Victoria in 1838, and with it a new style of crime prevention and detection - professional keepers of the Queen's Peace. There was still some way to go, however, before all Forces were of comparable status and efficiency.