Middlesbrough & Stockton Gazette and General Advertiser. — 1874-10-15 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

YEAR'S CRIME IN MIDDLESBROUGH.  Lin Tuesday at ternoon, Mr E. J. Saggerson, Chief-constable 0f the borough police force, submitted to the Town Council his usual annual report, accompanied by clear and comprehensive returns, which discover the state of crime up to the 29th Septeuiber last. The figures speak well not only for the improved conduct of the inhabitants of the borough, but also for the efficiency of the police force in preventing as well as detecting crime. We find that there is a decrease of 856 cases which have been summarily disposed of as compared with last year's figures, and a decrease of 635 on the number of cases disposed of in 1872. This is exceedingly pleasant to contemplate, and more especially so when we find that the principal decrease is in cases of drunkenness, common assaults, and breaches of the Local Act. The decrease in the cases of drunkenness is very marked, the figures being 600 last year as against 322 this year. The decrease of offences against the Licensing Act is very considerable, there being only 19 cases this year as against 47 last year, only three publicans have been convicted as against five last year, and three beer-sellers as against three last year. The decrease in drunkenness and offences against the Licensing laws proves the efficacy of the Licensing Act of 1872, and also speaks volumes for the itnpattial and complete administration of justice in Middlesbrough. A very ugly feature is however noticeable in the returns, and which has become too common in the country generally. Last year the aggravated assaults on women and children amounted to 52. This year the returns show that 59 cases have Occurred. The deservedly severe sentences which the magistrates have commenced to pass on ruffian wife and woman beaters will, it is hoped, tend to lessen this class of cases, so that we may reasonably expect next year to find a decrease. The assaults on police officers are fewer than last year. The same remark applies to offences committed by juveniles, and to cases of prostitution and vagrancy. The return of indictable offences shows that there have been five cases of attempted suicide this year as against two last year; four of burglary and housebreaking, the return being nil last year ; two of cutting and wounding as against one last year.; ii‘e of embezzlement as against one List year; five of fraud and false pretences as  against four last year; two of libel against none last year ; one of murder as against one last year; four of manslaughter as against one last year. 'I here is a decrease in cases of larceny, but it is apparent that the worst class of offences have .been larger. The following is the Chief Constable's report :  Chief Constable's office,  October 8, 1874.  theNTLEMEN,—I have the honour to lay before you my fourteenth yearly return of criminal and miscellaneous statistics for the year ended the 29th ultimo, and to inform you that 508 persons less were apprehended this year than last. The total aumber of persons taken into custody was 887, of whom 728 were males and 159 females; 524 were English, 273 Irish, 33 Welch, 46 Scotch, and 11 foreigners ; 389 could neither read or write, 412 could only do so imperfectly, 63 could read only, 20 could read and write well, and three had received a superior education • 312 were either of :good character or altogether unknown to the police, 372 were designated suspicious characters, 169 known thieves, 14 common prostitutes, 3 habitual drunkards, and 17 vagrant% and tramps; 71 were natives of Middlesbrough, 209 strangers, 119 had resided here less than six months, 41 six months and under twelve, 43 twelve months and under two years, 52 two years and under three, 43 three and four, 27 four and under five, 33 five and under six, 15 six and under seven, 24 seven aLti under eight, 20 eight and under nine, 13 nine and under ten, and 177 ten years and upwards. Of the male prisoners 175 were out of employment when apprehended, 20 represented their average earnings to be less than 15s per week, 11, 15s and less than 20s, 112, 20s and les. than 25e, 71, 25s and less than 30s, 195, 30s and less than 355, 19, 35s and less than 40s, "5, 40s and upwards, and 50 were in business on their own account. . _ _ .  62 persons have been committed for trial at the Sessions and Assizes, being an increase of five over last year, and 26 more than in 1872, and in addition 91 were summarily convicted of larceny by the justices, and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment from seven days to eight months. I am glad to report a decrease in the number of juvenile offenders, and this, in my opinion, is owing to the action taken by the School Board in compelling the attendance at school of children who formerly were neglected by their parents, and allowed to run at large, and would, if they had not been checked, have been pests to society and a burden to the ratepayers. There has been an increase of cases for assaults on women and children, but I trust that the punishment which has been• inflicted on most of the offenders by the magistrates will have the effect of putting a stop to a great extent to these brutal outrages. 'I he Licensing Act, 1872, continues to work well, and I attribute the great decrease of apprehensions, to early closing, and a desire on the part of most of the publicans to carry out its provisions. For minor offences 1,345 persons have been summoned ; 310 of the informations were laid by the police. 990 doors and windows have been found open and insecure, 2,767 vagrants and tramps were relieved at the police office and 48 inquests held by the coroner, being 14 less than last year. In conclusion, I beg to state that the general conduct of the officers and constables continues good. Remaining Gentlemen, Your most obedient servant,