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The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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DEVON COUNTY POLICE FORCE: EAST STONEHOUSE and PLYMPTON The Devon County Constabulary is included here because the parish and urban district of East Stonehouse came under Devon County for policing until 1914. It would seem that the Stonehouse District Police Force was formed in 1836. The village of Jump is now known as Roborough and is outside the City of Plymouth but those readers who used to journey through the village before the by-pass was built will remember the Court House that stands on the easterb side of the Tavistock Road, near the Lopes' Arms Public House. This was designed and erected by Mr George Marshall during the summer of 1859 and brought into use early in December. The building contained twleve rooms, eight of which formed the residences for a Sergeant and Constable. There were also two cells and a public waiting room. Prior to the erection of this building any persons arrested in the area had to be taken to Stonehouse to be kept in the cells and returned to Jump for their court appearance. On June 30th 1857 it was recorded that...'in this parish constables have hitherto been appointed under the act for lighting and watching and therefore until notice has been given by the Chief Constable that he is ready to undertake this charge, this parish is also exempt from police rate.' At the Quarter Sessions meeting on October 12th 1857 it was ordered that a station be provided at Stonehouse, District C, comprising cells, quarters for 1 sergeant, charge room, etc. Also outside of the Plymouth area was Plympton, which had a Petty Sessions room and two constables, and Jump (Roborough), which had the same. On June 29th 1858 it was reported to the Devon Police Committee that a portion of the St George's Hall was to be rented as a police station at the rate of £40 per annum from August 2nd next (1858) until a more permanent arrangement can be effected. On June 27th 1864 the Chief Constable reported that the Stonehouse District, part of 'H' Division, comprised a 2nd Class Sergeant and 12 Constables plus 2 Constables on requisition in connection with military building at Staddon Height. The Superintendent in charge of the Division, George Ross, was based at Stonehouse and he had two 1st Class Sergeants at Plympton, the same at Roborough plus 17 Constables covering both places. 1878 -- 'The Police Station in which petty sessions are held is situated near St George's Hall. Captain Brutton is the superintendent of police and Mr R R Rodd the county coroner'. On March 31st 1878 the Chief Constable reported that 'H' Division based at Stonehouse comprised Superintendent Edward Brutton with 1st Class Sergeants at Plympton and Roborough, 17 Constables and 1 vacancy at Holbeton. The Stonehouse District was covered by a 1st Class Sergeant and 13 Constables. Helmets were introduced around 1879. Although police whistles were issued in Plymouth in 1880 and became standard issue from September 1881, they were apparently not issued by the Devon County force at Stonehouse until 1892. On November 9th 1896 parts of Compton, Eggbuckland, Laira and Pennycross were amalgamated in to Plymouth. One sergeant and two constables were retained at Compton, the remaining constable staying with the Devon force. The constable based at Crabtree in the parish of Eggbuckland was transferred to St Budeaux. Stonehouse became part of the Borough of Plymouth on November 8th 1914 and 1 Inspector, 2 Sergeants and 15 Constables transferred to the Plymouth force. Only the biggest and strongest men were selected for Stonehouse as they had to be able to deal with drunken sailors and this resulted in the pick of the Devon force being passed over to Plymouth. From January 1st 1921 the headquarters of H Division was transferred to the Police Station at Crownhill, where the superintendent was stationed. A new police station was provided at Plympton in March 1939. From April 1st 1950 Tamerton Foliot was amalgamated in to Plymouth but the constable who had been stationed there remained with Devon. GO TO PAGE 5 - Police Officers
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