Notable Events In Week Fortyone

Hertfordshire Police Historical Society

This Week In History

9/10/1967

On the 9th October 1967, the Alcotest Breath test was introduced. 101 Tests were administered before the end of the year, 26 of which were positive. Five persons were prosecuted for refusing to take the test. The average alcohol of those found positive was 163mg/100ml in blood (legal limit 80mg/100ml).

10/10/1944

On 10th of October 1944, a German V1 flying bomb landed on the playground of St Audrey’s School, Hatfield, behind the police headquarters. Eight people were killed and 26 injured, and considerable damage was done to the headquarters, 4 Police cottages in St. Albans Rd were almost wrecked and the residential quarters in the Police Station Yard and the Police cottages in Beaconsfield Rd were considerably damaged. A force order issued by Abel Camp, Acting Chief Constable, describes the incident “every police officer, undeterred by his own anxiety for his personal affairs and family, displayed discipline and efficiency of the highest order, and I pay special tribute to the wives and families in their terrifying experience. I cannot speak too highly of the splendid assistance rendered by the special Constabulary under Superintendent Escombe and Inspector Lilburn. They arrived shortly after the incident and it was due to the valuable assistance rendered by the special Constabulary that I was able to relieve some of the regulars to attend to their own personal affairs.” He went on “it is very difficult for me to single out particular officers for commendation, but the work of Superintendent Offord, Police Sergeants 79 Sandridge, 44 Oliver, 290 Gregory, 295 Winser and Police Constable 57: call for special mention and I am submitting a special report on their efforts to the standing joint committee.”

13/10/1873

Indictment of Walter Frederick Evans, alias George Crook, charged with fraudulently obtaining a post-office order for £1 through an advertisement in the ”Exchange and Mart” newspaper, stating that he had some valuable fowls to sell. Found guilty and sentenced to two months’ imprisonment with hard labour.

13/10/1924

Commendation. At the Watford Petty Sessions on 7 October 1924, the chairman commended Constable John Henry Farr, 335 of C Division, freeze action in affecting the rest of Thomas Nolan, CRO 827/1905 on a charge of burglary at Micklefield Hall, Sarratt, on 3 October 1924. The reports in this case shew that Constable Farr was alert in carrying out his duties, and in exercising his powers of search and arrest upon reasonable suspicion, since the property stolen was recovered and the thief in custody before the burglary was discovered by the inmates of the house. (General order 160 of 1924)

13/10/1999

Petrol/Electric Vehicles The introduction of petrol/electric vehicles by Motor Manufacturers is becoming widespread. These vehicles are most likely to carry high voltage systems and batteries, which contain dangerous substances, some of which also operate at high temperatures. Careless handling of this type of vehicle after involvement in a collision or during examination may result in electrocution or severe injury. Specialist advice and assistance from the Fire and Rescue Service, Crash Investigators or Force Vehicle Examiners should be sought. (General Orders 41 of 1999)

14/10/1861

Report of the chaplain to the County Council stating that he considers that the results of the education system are highly satisfactory. The number of prisoners admitted is 640, in contradistinction to 539 for the year 1860. The proportion of recommitted prisoners amounts to 33 per cent., corresponding as nearly as possible with the last two years. The relative proportions of male and female prisoners is 85% , for males and 14% for females. The chaplain reports that among those prisoners whom he examined as many as 12 per cent, had no familiar acquaintance with the alphabetical letters, 9 per cent, were unable to say the Lord’s Prayer correctly, and 15 per cent, had no distinct knowledge of a Saviour.

14/10/1851

Report of the chaplain of the county goal, giving the aggregate number of prisoners as 751, being an increase of 20 on the preceding year. The evening school has been regularly kept up, and well attended, 77 prisoners having been admitted during the year.