Notable Events In Week Twentyseven

Hertfordshire Police Historical Society

This Week In History

Friday 07 July 1939

Hertford Mercury and Reformer
STRUCK BY CAR AT ROAD JUNCTION
A man and a woman were fatally injured in a road accident a few seconds after appearing to be “very happy and interested in each other” was told at an inquest on Wednesday at Welwyn Garden City. The victims were Lewis Barge, aged 26, of 66 Knella Road, Welwyn Garden City, and Miss Irene Foster, of 1 Shortlands Green, Welwyn Garden City. Barge, who sustained a fractured skull and compound fracture of the tibia, died in the Welwyn Garden City Cottage Hospital shortly after admission. Miss Foster sustained severe abdominal injuries, and died in the Hertford County Hospital on June 27. Barge and Miss Foster were crossing the Great North Road on the night of Saturday, June 24, when they were involved in a collision with a car driven by John Cameron McNeil Greig, of 24 Rodney Court, Hatfield. The inquest of Barge was opened, and adjourned, on June 27. At the resumed inquest on Wednesday, the jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and added a rider that they considered it very essential that some arrangement should be made by a light, a halt sign, or a refuge, to impress upon persons that it was a dangerous crossing. Mr. Michael Bull, counsel, represented the driver of the car, and Mr. T. Springer, counsel, appeared for the relatives of the deceased. Mr. Henry Cottrell, of 1 Shortlands Green, Welwyn Garden City, said that Miss Foster lodged at his house, and worked at de Havilland.

Friday 07 July 1939

Hertford Mercury and Reformer
CHIEF CONSTABLE’S RETIREMENT
MR. GEORGE KNIGHT’S FORTY-TWO YEARS’ SERVICE FIRST RANKER TO HOLD POSITION
Chief Constable of Hertfordshire, Mr. George Knight, relinquishing his appointment during the next few weeks, and his resignation has been handed to the Standing Joint Committee. Mr. Knight, who was appointed Chief Constable in December, 1928, was the first serving member of the Force to be appointed to that position. Mr. Knight has been a member of the Hertfordshire Constabulary for just over 42 years and commenced his duties at Hitchin as a Constable, where he remained for nine years, being promoted to Sergeant and transferred to Watford. Later he returned to Hitchin as a Clerk Sergeant and in 1912 was posted to Headquarters at Hatfield. In 1913 he was promoted Inspector and later to Superintendent. On the retirement of the late Supt. John Wood, he was made Deputy Chief Constable which he held until his appointment in 1928.

Saturday 07 July 1877

Hertford Mercury and Reformer
COUNTY CONSTABULARY COMMITTEE. The Committee presented to Court the following report. The Police Committee have to report that they have audited the accounts of the Treasurer, and have found them be correct. The Committee have examined and allowed various bills of expense, incurred during the last quarter, ending Midsummer, 1877. Amounting to £756 3s 3d, of which a list is given in the first schedule annexed to this report, and which they submit the County Finance Committee for recommendation the Court for payment. The Committee have further examined the account of expenses to be provided in advance for the ensuing quarter, amounting to £1863, of which the particulars are stated in the second schedule annexed, and they recommend that the Court authorize the Treasurer to pay to the Chief Constable such sums as may be required for those purposes to an account not exceeding the above sum of £1863, his producing the proper vouchers for the same. The pay of the force during the next three months was estimated at £1700; subsistence of prisoners and extra expenses of constables £80, extra horse and cart hire, £50; postage, etc. £8; allowance to the force for providing their own boots and shoes, £25. The report was received and the payments recommended therein were ordered to be made.

Saturday 07 July 1877

Hertford Mercury and Reformer
WATFORD PETTY SESSIONS, Assaulting a Publican.
George Corfield was charged with assaulting and beating Charlee Evans, landlord of the King’s Head, High Street Watford the 27th of June last. The prosecutor said the prisoner came to my house at about 10 p.m. on the 27th of June last and asked to be served with some beer, but from his appearance and condition I declined to serve him. When said “What you mean by it”. I replied “I mean what I say, I will not serve you,” with which he struck me in the eye with his fist and closed with me when we both fell. Some persons present took the prisoner off and held him until the Constable arrived. I then gave him into custody. The prisoner said he very sorry for what he had done. He was subject to fits. He had been in prison since the 27th inst., and he was now ordered to be imprisoned with hard labour for a further term of three days, the Chairman observing that the Bench were determined protect publicans in their endeavour to keep their houses respectable.

7 July 1999

General Order No. 27/1999
HELICOPTER T.V. DOWNLINKING
All officers are advised that following trials, helicopter television downlinking facilities are now available within the force. The equipment listed below is capable of receiving television pictures from both helicopters owned by the Chiltern Air Support consortium and indeed most other aircraft used by surrounding forces if they are tasked with operations in Hertfordshire. The following equipment is available with immediate effect:

Force Operations Room. On request live pictures can be transmitted from anywhere within Hertfordshire onto television screens in F.O.R., and in the Major Incident Suite. Tape recording facilities are also available. F.O.R. can receive pictures from anywhere within the County.

Forward Command Vehicle. This vehicle is now fully equipped with television downlinking facilities. It has a more limited range than operations room and is intended for use at spontaneous incidents or pre planned events (Silver Command). If the vehicle is located on relatively higher ground and away from buildings and trees, very good reception will be achieved.

Portable Briefcase Set. This equipment is very compact and is available for immediate deployment to incidents from Force Operations Room (Authority to issue – Oscar 1 or Oscar 2). It has its own power source which will last approximately 1 hour and is also equipped with a cigarette lighter power lead. The equipment can be used within a mobile vehicle but reception will depend on factors already outlined.

All officers are encouraged to make full use of these facilities in appropriate circumstances.
(Operational Support)