Law and Order in Stoke Goldington – Village Constables

In the Middle Ages there were village constables appointed by the Parish Overseers but it was not until 1857 that the newly formed Buckinghamshire Constabulary appointed one of their men to reside in and be stationed in the village.

 

 

Former Police House , High Street Stoke Goldington

 

 

 

 

The first residential constable to be appointed was Police Constable No 39 Joseph Saunders.

The village ‘Ruling Hierarchy’ was made up of :-

      1. The principal Landowner.
      2. The Rector
      3. The Schoolmaster.
      4. The Village Policeman.

These were the opinion formers and decision makers and the fact that the principal landowner was also Chairman of the local Bench of Magistrates and also Member of Parliament meant that they ‘ruled the roost’.

Local crimes included Poaching; Theft; Accidental death; Failure to maintain a Turnpike Highway; Afterhours drinking and, in later years – Motoring offences.

 

Click here for details of individual constables in the village

 

 

Mick Shaw, a serving police officer has researched local police forces and, with his permission, we reproduce in this section of the site details about Stoke Goldington Police Constables 1857 – 1961.

His  own website is Buckinghamshire Constabulary History