Stoke-on-Trent Murders and Misdemeanours

Stoke-on-Trent in the century between 1850 and 1950 witnessed huge changes. During the Victorian period the population in the area grew rapidly, attracted by employment opportunities in the pottery industry, and in 1910 a new borough of Stoke-on-Trent was formed from a confederation of the Six Towns. Vast numbers of local people worked in coal mining, manufacturing and other heavy industries, as well as in ceramics, and wealth and poverty often lived close together. The local police force dealt with the ‘high crimes’ of murder, manslaughter, major robberies and frauds, sometimes with the assistance of Scotland Yard. ‘Low level’ crimes such as burglary and housebreaking also had to be tackled, as did ever-evolving criminal tactics and techniques. Delving into a range of court reports, newspaper archives and other original sources, the authors also assess the consequences of crime and its punishment, as well as cases where defendants were adjudged insane. This collection of true-life stories gives a vivid insight into aspects of life in Stoke-on-Trent during the past, and will fascinate anyone with an interest in the history of crime, as well as those who want to know more about the history of the area.