Methods of Thieving – Hard Times
Burglaries and Robberies. These were unusually numorous(sic) during the year 1854, and would seem to indicate a necessity of the change which in November was made in the Police force. The daring case of house-breaking and robbery at St. Leonards was described in the preceding chapter, and now it has to be recorded that in the night embraced by the old and new year, a burglarious entry was made into a portion of the Pelham Arcade, used by Mr. Moor as a working-jeweller’s shop, and several articles stolen.
Another burglary was effected at the premises of Mr. Morgan, a wholesale grocer at Claremont, through a window that was strongly barred and shuttered. The things that were missing were a package of choice tea and about 28/- in money.
A second attempt to break into the Pelham Arcade was frustrated by the barking of a dog.
Two burglars effected an entrance into the Girls’ schoolroom of the Castle parish, and though they rifled the donation box, they had to depart without being much richer.
A burglary was also effected during church time on Sunday evening, Nov. 5th, (the third time within a month) at 48 St. Mary’s terrace, but the would-be robbers appeared to have been disturbed, while consuming some of the contents of the larder. A reward of £2 was offered for information.
A Daring Theft was perpetrated in the last week of November by an unknown man, who entered the shop of Mr. Eldridge, a baker, at St. Michael’s-on-the-rock, and whilst Mrs Eldridge was giving him change for half-a-crown, snatched the bag of money out of her hand. At the same instant he picked up his own half-crown, and ran off with nearly £8 in gold and silver. The lonely character of the neighbourhood and the darkness of night favoured the escape of the daring thief.
Another Daring Robbery was effected on the night of the 22nd of December at a fruiterer’s shop near the bottom of All Saints’ street, kept by a man named Haste.
A Burglary was attempted in the earlier part of the year (Feb. 28th), when the would-be robbers cut a hole with a centre-bit in the shop door of Mr. Funnell’s grocery store, at 5 Robertson street. They got the bottom bolt drawn, but were baffled by the top one.
