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Police: Difference between revisions
→Local policing in the Twentieth Century
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===Local policing in the Twentieth Century===
The advent of motorised vehicles added a significant dimension. Vehicles had to be registered and drivers licensed. The Motor Car Act 1903 made it an offence to drive on a public highway in such a way as to be dangerous to the public. The highest speed was to be 20 miles an hour.
In both World Wars The Defence of the Realm Acts imposed many restrictions and it was the responsibility of the police to monitor and enforce the regulations. The Aliens Act required persons not of British nationality to register with the police - a Russian watchmaker from Manchester turned up at Hoole Police Station. All persons keeping homing pigeons had to register them, and movement could only take place with a movement licence issued by the police. Pigeon fancying was a very popular hobby in the area.
Local police officers were involved in cases of absenteeism from military service, Herbert Richardson from [[Lightfoot Street]] was charged with failing to join the Colours, and James Jones of Clare Avenue was charged with absenteeism from the Army Reserve Class B. There were many cases of the black-out not being observed, and under the Lighting Control Board Regulations orders as to lights on vehicles had to be enforced.
[[File:RE_Pol_8.jpg|400px|thumb|left| Car in Westminster Road with blacked out headlight.]]
All of this meant working closely with Civil Defence Workers, Air Raid Precautions (ARP) wardens and the Home Guard. In addition normal peacetime duties were made more difficult due to the blackout and rationing, criminal activity increasing. Black market trading was another issue, a case in Hoole involving the purchase of cloth without coupons by Jimmy O'Reilly and Peter Coyle Marl ensured much gossip and a petition for leniency for the much liked chip shop owner. Another premises on [[Faulkner Street]] run as betting shop by Freddy Ankers was raided, gambling in such a way being illegal.
Policing in the City was seperate from the County Police Force until 1974 although they did work together. In 1948 the City Police had to "borrow" two cells at Hoole after rounding up thirteen alleged operators of varied games of chance at Chester Races. After the forces amalgamated in 1974 the police station in Hoole was closed.
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