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