|BRITISH POLICE HISTORY

BY GRAHAM MAJOR

Control of Manchester's markets passed to the Council in 1845. The Manchester Markets Act, 1846, followed and the Market Committee then took to employ men as Constables.

In late 1882, a Market porter was given three months hard labour after assaulting Inspector Atkinson and two Constables after being arrested for theft of apples.

In the late 1890's pay was 30/- per week plus an issue of uniform and boots.

The early years saw a number of unhappy incidents. In 1899, Constable Thomas Smith, who had ten years' service, was charged with theft from Smithfield Market and was fined 5/- plus costs or a months imprisonment.

In August 1900, the Market Committee were asked to make investigations after a Market Constable was detained by a Manchester City Police Sergeant and Constable for being drunk at 5:10am — ten minutes after leaving duty in the market.

In 1905, the Manchester Market Police comprised an Inspector and twelve Constables, working an eight hour day, three shift system.

In January of 1905 an event which became known as the "Manchester Market Scandal" would break and lead to the demise of the Market Police. On the 5th January eight Market Constables were suspended after allegations of being complicit in thefts from stalls in Shudehill Market were made by a Market employee already in Police custody, their place being taken by Manchester City Police Officers. On the 7th, four of the Market Constables were arrested by City police. This later grew to six and included James Henry Holden, John Smith, William Henry Howle, James Coghlan, William Durkin and Thomas Bowker. On the 9th, two further Market Constables, William Pugh and Alfred Leach, were brought before the Court. On the 20th, the six men were committed for trial with charges against James Henry Holden and Thomas Bowker discharged as there was no evidence to prove the goods they had received were stolen. On the 4th February, having been found guilty, each man was given fifteen months imprisonment. A week later a Market subcommittee was formed to look into the future policing of the Market. It was announced on the 14th that the Manchester City Police Force would be expanded by one Inspector and fourteen Constables to police the Market at an annual cost to the Corporation of £1,440. In April 1905, the Watch Committee announced that policing of the Market would come under the overall control of Superintendent Watson, and that the five Market Constables who had been serving alongside the nine City Officers would be enrolled in the City force as they had no connection to the previous scandal.

On the 12th July 1907, the Market Committee presented Inspector Daniel Oakden with a gold watch in recognition of his work in running the Market Police during the previous two years.

Market Police Re-established

Due to problems with staffing, the Police and the City Council undertook talks which resulted in the decision to form a dedicated Market Police Force under the control of the City Council. The Force, which comprised one Inspector, two Sergeants and twenty Constables, commenced duties on the 29th January 1962, the Constables having undergone a period of instruction at Swan Street Police Station the week before. Officers were not attested as Constables but were given powers to enforce council bye-laws. The aim of the new Force was to provide a comprehensive security service for all the undertakings of the City's Markets Department. With the opening of the new Manchester Abattoir in June 1966, a Sergeant and ten Constables who had previously worked at the old City Abattoir and Meat Market moved there, and were responsible to the Abattoir Manager. Prior to the formation of the Market Police the Council employed Market Attendants to patrol the premises and ensure the bye-laws were upheld.

A Manchester Market Police tunic rocker patch (Submitted by Graham Major)

A Manchester Market Police tunic rocker patch (Submitted by Graham Major)

A Manchester Market Police tunic rocker patch (Submitted by Graham Major)

Early Officers were Chief Inspector Hargreaves, formally Deputy Chief Constable of Stockport Borough Police, Inspector Smith, previously a Sergeant with Manchester City Police and Sergeants Brown and Mossie, also former Sergeants with the City Police. In 1969, the Abattoir Force was under the command of Sergeant Arthur Wright.

By the early 1970's, the current Market was unable to cope with the volume of trade being undertaken and consequently a new site was sought. In 1973, a move was made to the New Smithfield Market which had been built on the site of the old railway works at Openshaw. This also became the new base for the Market Police, who were now comprised of one Chief Inspector, one Inspector, three Sergeants and sixteen Constables.

The main duties of Market Police Officers were to ensure all Market users complied with statutory regulations and bye-laws, to patrol and maintain order in the Markets, to regulate vehicle movements, ensure the security of Market premises and property, and to investigate, detect and report on incidents occurring in the Markets.

A Manchester Market Police jersey patch (Submitted by Graham Major)

A Manchester Market Police jersey patch (Submitted by Graham Major)

A Manchester Market Police jersey patch (Submitted by Graham Major)

1976 Job Advert

In 1979 pay was £2,895 rising to £3,087 plus the £312 supplement. The age range for recruitment was from 25 to 45.

By the early 1980's, the Market Police Force had grown further and was then comprised of two teams under a Chief Inspector. The first team, based at the new market, had an establishment of one Inspector, four Sergeants and thirty Constables. The second team comprised one Inspector and twelve Constables and policed the Manchester Abattoir. Both units provided cover seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year, on a three eight-hour shift pattern. The night supervision at the Abattoir being provided by the new Market Sergeant on an as-and-when required basis.

In addition, a mobile patrol service was provided for the seven outdoor Markets owned by the Council. Officers dealt with customer complaints, car parking problems and petty thefts. Any person detained by the Market Police would be taken to the nearest Police Station for processing.

In 1985, Manchester Council sold the Abattoir and those Market Police Officers working there were transferred to the New Smithfield Market. At about this time the existing Chief Inspector retired and was replaced by one of the existing Market Police Inspectors.

In 1989, a small change in uniform took place with the introduction of the green and white check cap band.

A Manchester Market Police anorak patch (Submitted by Graham Major)

A Manchester Market Police anorak patch (Submitted by Graham Major)

A Manchester Market Police anorak patch (Submitted by Graham Major)

Training was undertaken internally by their own training Officer who regularly attended courses with the local police to ensure Officers remained up-to-date with issues affecting their work.

Officers wore police-style uniform and were equipped with personal radios but, unlike the Manchester Parks Police, were issued handcuffs and truncheons.

The Manchester Market Police were disbanded in August 1998 and their duties passed to the newly formed Council Security Force. 

Ernie Thompson

One of the early Market Officers during their second incarnation was Mr Ernie Thompson. He joined the Force at twenty-four years of age in 1962 and was the only Officer with no previous Police experience. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1966 and later Inspector. He retired in 1992 as Chief Inspector, a post he had held since 1976. During his career he made over 600 arrests and received a number of commendations. He also acted as a consultant for policing at London's Smithfield Market. 

Sources
  1. Quay Life, 16 November 2018
  2. Manchester Evening News, 31 October 1899, 20 July 1976, 07 January 1905, 11 January 1905, 18 January 1905, 14 April 1905, 24 May 1979, 28 October 1969
  3. Manchester Courier, 03 August 1900, 07 January 1905, 11 February 1905, 27 February 1905, 13 July 1907
  4. Morning Leader, 07 January 1905
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A Manchester Market Police Rectangular Anorak Patch


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