Skeleton Keys and Assaults on Police...

BOY'S SERIES OF THEFTS - SKELETON KEY and AMAZING SCENE DURING SCUFFLE IN CAR PARK

Friday June 27th 1941

Two stories for your delectation in this post. First, the tale of a young apprentice tool maker (16 1/2), who was described by his boss, Mr Mainrbrise of T. Norton and Son toolmakers, as "efficient at his job, attentive to his work and ...(had) the makings of a good toolmaker".

Not only did he have the makings of a good toolmaker, he had the tools of a good toolmaker, having not only stolen a number of skeleton keys from the company, but had also used the machines there in order to adapt other tools and knives into devices for unlocking lockers, locks and other secured areas.

Over a period of time, tools and other items had disappeared at work, and gradually, suspicion had come to rest on this lad. Detective Bramhall was called, and the lad confessed to having stolen a skeleton key, but claimed to have thrown it in a river - a claim he later recanted when the Detective opened his locker and found not only a plethora of stolen tools, but also his home-made burglars kit. Among the items were regimental items and medals stolen from Grantham Museum, a gas mask, a full gas-proof suit and protective overshoes.

He had also got a written letter to the Navy, asking for details on how to join, which his father explained was most definitely not a way of evading the court. The court gave him two years probation, and asked his employer to consider taking him back.

AIRMAN JUMPS ON POLICE SERGEANT'S BACK

The second tale doesn't feature my great grandfather, but I include it as it chimes with some of the recent reports of Police Officers being assaulted while doing their duty. It's always a disgrace when a Police Officer is assaulted, but sadly it seems to have been something which happened back in 1941 too.

Sergeant Ledger was sat in the Police Office at about 10.45, when he heard a great commotion outside. On leaving, he found 30-40 armed services personnel trying to board a bus, which was already full to capacity. A poor conductor was trying to stop an apparently drunk sailor, Maloney, from barging his way past her and onto the bus. PS Ledger was shocked - shocked I tell you - at the foul language which was being used by the airman. He asked him to leave, and on refusing to do so, he took hold of him and began to escort him to the Police Station.

While Maloney continued to struggle, his brother, an airman, jumped on Sgt Ledger's back and tried to wrestle his brother from his grasp. Other airmen tried to pull him from the officer's back, at which point he lashed out with his fists and "a general scuffle" took place. A special constable, Simmonds, saw what was happening, and helped the Sergeant. They managed to get the pair to the station, at which point an incredible brawl appears to have taken place, with a number of the airmen trying to liberate the two arrested men, while others tried to assist the police in the execution of their duty.

When the fracas had cleared, a third serviceman, an RAF man named Crerar turned up at the Police Station drunk and violent and "refused to go away". One can imagine that at this point Sergeant Ledger had very little tolerance for drunk servicemen, and he was promptly placed in the cells for his trouble.

The magistrates were not very impressed, saying, "This is a very disgraceful business. It is evident that you do not remember a great deal of what took place. We want to make it perfectly clear that we will not tolerate people being interfered with, and we will not have this hampering of the police. We don't care if it is a serviceman or who; it has got to stop. If it had not been for the good nature of the Chief Constable, you would probably have been charged with something more serious. You will be charged 40s each"

These days, the Chief Constable would not have been so good natured. Assaults on Police have become such a concern that recent legislation was passed to make it a specific offence, and assaults are often highlighted as in this recent BBC report https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-lincolnshire-46640562/lincolnshire-police-release-officer-assault-video

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