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Crime and Punishment (1900s - 1950s) |
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| A compilation of largely unedited interviews, recalling crime and punishment in Leicestershire during the first half of the twentieth century. Contributors include former policemen, prison officers, magistrates and members of the general public. The first contributor comments on the lack of fear she felt when out in the streets in those days, compared to perceived threat of violence today. Interviewees remember childhood misdemeanours such as ringing doorbells and running away, scrumping apples, and sneaking into theatres and cinemas for a free show. Gambling is identified as a major issue at the time, and recollections include illegal gambling on street corners, betting in pubs and fraudulent card games aimed at fleecing unsuspecting rail travellers. One man remembers joining the police force in 1928 at the age of 22 when the Leicester City police force numbered 240, with just two bicycles and no motor vehicles. Policing tactics and equipment are looked at, and one man remembers frequently dealing with fighting on Friday and Saturday nights in the more deprived areas, where policemen would only venture in groups of two or four. A former CID officer recalls how crime was rife during Second World War, with significant increases in murders, rapes and serious assaults – all traceable to the blackouts. Prostitution is also reported as becoming more noticeable during and after the war. Other activities included fiddles involving ration coupons and profiteering on the black market. The working hours and practices of the police, CID and the courts are described in some detail. A former magistrate recalls some of the more serious cases and offences with which he had to deal, and discusses the balance between punishment and deterrence. Penal reform, changing prison conditions and the relationships between inmates and prison officers are touched upon, illustrated with a number of anecdotes about regular offenders. The original recording is held by the East Midlands Oral History Archive (EMOHA 00423, LO/043/C43), more information can be found at http://www.le.ac.uk/emoha/ |
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| Creators: |
Copyright Holder - East Midlands Oral History Archive
Interviewee - Taylor, Mrs
Interviewee - Bailey, Mrs
Interviewee - Shelvey, Mr
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Subject: |
Civil Society, Law
Oral History
History
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| Contributors: |
Everitt, Mrs - Interviewee
Rudkin, Mrs - Interviewee
Hadley, Mr - Interviewee
Hunt, Mr - Interviewee
Joiner, Mr - Funder/Sponsor
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Date created:
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01 / 01 / 1989
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Language:
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English
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Country:
Region:
City:
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United Kingdom
Leicestershire
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Rights:
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Community Media Association has non exclusive rights for the use of the work in The Showcase, but the overall copyright rests with East Midlands Oral History Archive. Copyright East Midlands Oral History Archive.
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If your browser can’t display the graphical link above to the translator, you may translate this page by going to the Babelfish website and pasting the address for this page into the box marked “Translate a web page”. |
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