The petitions throws up some other interesting statistics and comments:
- on 31 December 1854 the parish and town population had increased to
16,420, with the town population of 14,000.
- the nature of the population requires more surveillance than
an agricultural population.
- the length of the parish of Luton was almost 8 miles with
the average breath of 3 to 4 miles and was almost 17,000 acres.
- the parish of Luton paid £309 for the Police Rate in 1854
and had 2 constable whilst other parishes in the Luton
division paid £250 and had the advantage of 4 constables.
- the Police Rate suggests they ought have 5 constables, considering
the inclusion of Caddington and the probable increase in low and disreputable characters
during the construction of the railway.
- the population of the county in 1841 was 107,936 for which
43 constables were considered sufficient; the rate being 1 constable per 2,500
inhabitants.
- the population of Luton now being 16,420 same rate would require 6 constables.
- inhabited houses in the Town of Luton in 1841 were only 1,139 and in December
1854 this was more than double at 2,512.
The Quarter Session minute book for this period suggests the request was successful and the Chief Constable was given the authority to appoint an additional 6 constables. The next year saw major changes in the how the policing of Bedfordshire was organised, with the introduction of revised Police Districts. In fact it's interesting to note that it wasn't until this year that it became compulsory for a county to have its own Police Force. Regardless of the changes, the issue raises its head again in later years, with the town still feeling it had insufficient Police Constables. Confirming it as a timeless issue. The image below shows, the impact of the railways is being felt.
QSR1855/4/2/3
QSM 38
QEV3
QEV3
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