Crime figures for 1840 and 1841

The Chief Constables of Essex and Wiltshire were asked to provide a detailed report on crime in their counties for the years 1840 and 1841.

These reports were published in Parliamentary papers volume 36.

This has given us a picture of life in Essex in those years.

The report shows police numbers and breaks crime down into the various Divisions including the Dengie Division which covered the area of Eastern Essex to which this website relates.

Regular Police Officers in 1841

 
Place Superintendent Inspector Constable
Latchingdon 1   1
Bradwell     1
Burnham     1
Purleigh     1
Southminster   1 1
Tillingham     1

Regular Police Officers in 1850

 

Place Superintendent Inspector Constable
Latchingdon 1   1
Althorne     1
Bradwell     1
Burnham   1 3
Purleigh     1
Southminster     1
Steeple     1
Tillingham     1
Woodham Ferris     1
Woodham Walter     1

Parish Constables

Parish Constables were volunteers who were paid a small fee for service of summons etc.

They were the remnant of the Parish Constable scheme that helped to keep law and order before the arrival of professional Police Forces.

They supplemented the regulars and helped provide local information.

Number of Parish Constables in 1841 21

Number of Parish Constables in 1842 18

Crime Figures

 

Summer 1840

Autumn 1840

Winter 1840

Spring 1841

Summer 1841

Autumn 1841

Winter 1841

 

C

D

C

D

C

D

C

D

C

D

C

D

C

D

Felony

1

2

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Vagrant

1

 

5

3

 

 

3

 

5

 

2

 

 

 

Trespass

 

 

5

1

 

 

3

4

 

 

4

 

1

 

Assault

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

2

Drunk

 

 

1

 

1

 

1

 

3

1

2

1

1

 

Drunk and Assault

1

 

1

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

Wilful Damage

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arson

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beer House offences

1

 

1

 

 

 

1

2

1

 

1

1

 

 

Refusing to pay rates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Deserting Family

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

1

 

 

 

Driving with no reins

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

1

 

 

 

1

1

C = Convicted   D = Discharged