The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1903-02-18 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

CRIME IN BIRKENHEAD.  CHIEF CONSTABLE'S REPORT FOR  1902.  The report of the Chief Constable (Mr. W. S. Davies) on the police establishment and criminal statistics for year ending 31st of December, 1902, has just been issued. The returns as to indictable offenoes show that the number of crimes committed during the twelve months was 579, a decrease of 88 on the previous year's returns. The decrease is principally in simple larceny (54), shopbreaking, etc. (25), entering with intent (9), larceny from the person (18). Against these the following increases are to be noted:—Housebreaking (16), larceny by servant (7), embezzlement (13), and receiving stolen goods (10). Out of the 579 oases, 452 offenders were brought to justice. It ought to be pointed out that the case of the murder of Mr. John Kensit is not included in this return, and in regard to it the Chief Constable explains:— "Though the injuries were inflicted here the death took place in Liverpool, and by direction of the Treasury the case was tried at the Liverpool Assizes. It is dealt with in the Liverpool return,." Throe cases of manslaughter are reported. The first was one in which a man was charged with causing the death of his wife, but the justices declined to commit as the evidence was insufficient. In the second a man and woman were charged with causing the death of their baby by starvation. At Chester Assizes no bill was found against the man and the woman, found guilty of cruelty and neglect, was bound over to come up when called upon. The third case is that of a woman charged with the manslaughter of her illegitimate child by starvation. She 11411 be I tried at the next Chester Assizes. As to the other offences against. the person, Mr.l Davies observes:—"They are of such a nature as may be expected in any large community, and call for no special comment. An interesting return accompanies the report, showing the number of crimes committed -and the numiber of apprehensions made in each month of the year. _Against June there is the blackest record-77 crimes committed, apprehensions being made in 57 cases. June also maintains its peculiar distinction as the particular month 111 the year in which the suicidal tendency is most strongly asserted. Of tea Ca 6133 attempted suicide during the year no fewer than five occurred in June. August and December are noticeable as having been the months in which the housebreaking fraternity displayed the greatest activity. Of 21 cases of housebreaking in the year, August and December were each responsible for seven. In the 21 cases only live arrests were made, and foul convictions obtained. In non-indictable offenc3s there is a decrease of 336-3,141 as compared with 3,477 in the previous year. The decrease is accounted for by 75 fewer prosecutions for common assault, 59 fewer prosecutions under the Elementary Education Acts, 31 fewer for drunkenness, and 52 less for vagrancy In the number of juvenile offenders dealt with there is an increase of 49—vie., 198 as compared with 149 in 1901. 175 were cases of simple larceny, and in no fewer than 17 instances the offenders were dealt with under the Probation of First Offenders' Act, and subsequently discharged.. Of these juvenile offenders 182 were boys and 16 girls. There is a decrease of 87 in the number of persons locked up in bridewell during the year, and a consequent decrease of £l9 in the cost of subsistence. From the details tabulated as to refused charges it appears that there were 151 such oases, against 203 in the preceding twelve monthe—a reduction of 52. Another return treating of cases within the borough dealt with on police informations shows a total of 1,427, of which ' 100 were dismissed. Nine of the informations were against licensed victuallers, and seven against beer-house keepers for offences against the Licensing Act. In seven cases " convictions resulted, six of the informations were dismissed, and the other three were withdrawn. The total number of licensed houses was 296, representing 1 licensed house to every 374 persons in the borough, the total population being 110,915. In the twelve months 623 persons were convicted of drunkenness, a reduction of 21 on the preceding year. The ratio of convictions to pepulation was 1 in 178, as compered with 1 in 172 in 1901. In the course of the veer 7,470 cases were reported of premises being left insecure. This is a substantial decrease on the previous year. when there were 11,105 such cases, and the Chief Constable remarks gratefully on ..he growing carefulness of houeehclders in this respect. . . .  Regarding the relics establishment, the report states that the strength of the force is 191, two stuor.. of the total establishment; 174 members of the force are qualified to render "first aid"-IL9 holding medallions from the St. John Ambulance Association; 12 having been re-examined and 33 holding certificates. Oa the whole the conduct of the police hes been good. There have been two dismissals, 11 resignations, and 1 discharged with a gratuity. Seven have been pensioned and one died, whilst seventeen new constables have joined the force during' the year. The physique of the force is good,! the average 'height being 5 feet 101 inches., The Hon. C. G. Legge. KM. Inspector of Constabulary, having made the annual inspection in August, expressed his satisfaction with the police force generally.  MISS Trawls's