The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-02-09 00:00:00

INCREASE OF CRIME IN LIVERPOOL.

The learned Recorder in his speech at the opening of
the session last week, very forcibly alluded to the melan-
choly fact that crime was on the increase in Liverpool.
That crime, taken in the gross, has been, of late years, on
the increase cannot be denied ; but still we are inclined
to think that the offences are of a lighter and less cul-
pable nature than what we have been used to heretofore.
In this opinion we are borne out by a very valuable, use-
ful, and accurate return for the year 1846, made by Mr.
Parkinson, of the Main Bridewell. From these returns
it appears that in the year 1844, the number of persons
brought before the magistrates were 15,284 ; in 1845,
16,743 ; and in 1846, 18,171, showing an increase in the
year 1846, over 1845, of 1428 cases; and over 1844 of
2887 cases. Of those brought up in 1846, there were for
indulgence in the vicious habit of intemperance 6392, of
whom 3226 paid the fines imposed on them—the amount
of which was £844 7s. 6d. • and 3166 did not, the amount
of whose fine: if paid, would have been £825. Of assaults
there were 1219 cases, for which £6OO were paid by 489
persons , and 730 went to•prison, for fines to the amount
of £1455. For resisting, 122 persons, of whom 60 paid
fines to the amount of £4B. Fighting and quarrelling—
a crime which usually originates in that of drunkenness—
has been most prolific, there being no fewer during
the past year than 404 cases, 214 of whom paid fines,
amounting to £B7 15s. Sixty-two went to prison for
fines to the amount of £76. There has been a great
number " brought up" for the commission of another
and most dangerous offence—that of throwing missiles.
For this 149 persons were charged, and fined to the
amount of £75 12s. 6d, of which £25 ss. was paid by 60
persons, being a balance of £5O 7s. 6d. unpaid by 89
individuals. For playing at pitch and toss there has been
only one who was fined in 15s. Of indecent exposure
there have been, we are happy to say, but 7 cases ; and
of using obscene language 20. Of smuggling tobacco
there have been 124 cases, on which fines were imposed
to,the amount of £4750, of which only £l9O were paid,
spirits, 27 fines,
gpaid. Detaining
I.2leavl6ingla3sb,aloafncNevhoifei£4l
only £27
Sm uvsg.egrelin
seamen's register tickets, only one case ; and conveying
spirits into prison, the same number. The fines in each
of these cases were not paid.
There are many insignificant returns which we have not
noticed ; but it appears from the gross returns of Mr.
Parkinson, that 18,171 persons have been " brought up"
during the past year, on whom fines, to the amount of
£10,308 Ils. 51d. have been imposed—£l924 10s. 44d.
of which has been paid by the parties, leaving a balance
of £838415. Id. unpaid. In addition to this, £352 3s. 44d.
is to be added for miscellaneous fines ; and £lOO for a
smuggling fine.

LIVERPOOL GUARDIAN SOCIETY.—The annual meet-
ing of this most useful institution took place on Thursday
evening, at the offices, Commerce-court, when the usual
routine business was transacted, and the officers for the
present year appointed. Mr. J. R. Jeffery, of Church-
street, was elected president, and Mr. Crossley, of South
Castle-street, vice-president. The celebration of the
anniversary is fixed to take place at Eastwood's Royal
Hotel, on Friday next, when the president of the past
year, Mr. Denton, will preside. His worship the Mayor,
as also the ToNin-clerk, have already accepted invitations
to (line with the society on the occasion. Mr. Rowland
Hill will honour the meeting with his presence. Lord
Sandon, M.P., and Mr. William. Brown, M.P„ are in,
vited, hut their replies have not yet been received,