Policing Henley-on-Thames: From Parish Constables to the Formation of the Oxfordshire Constabulary in 1857

Policing Henley-on-Thames from Parish Constables to the formation of the Oxfordshire Constabulary in 1857 shows the progression from the hue and cry system required from every eligible citizen through to the duties of the parish constables selected annually from the population by the town Mayor, regardless of their wishes, to a more professional police in the small market town of Henley-on-Thames.

The names of those private Henley citizens who were selected to carry out the duties of constable, are known through surviving records, newspaper reports and Assize and Quarter Session trial records. Parish Constables were expected to carry on their trade whilst being called upon at any time to fulfill their policing duties. Their only reward were expenses, being paid by the victim of crime, once a successful prosecution was obtained.

Reporting to the towns Justices, these Henley constables maintained law and order in the town, dealing with diverse offences of Murder, Assault, Burglary and Larceny, with sentences resulting in imprisonment, and on occasions transportation to Australia, or the death penalty.

In 1830 the corporation decided that the town needed a more 'professional' police force which resulted in two salaried constables, serving for more than the one year of previous parish constables.

One resident, Henry Stephens became the longest serving Henley constable from 1834 to 1862 and was regarded as 'our active constable' in local newspapers. A hero by todays standards he relentlessly pursued criminals bringing them to justice for over a quarter of a century, only to die a pauper.

This book lists the names of many of those who served as constables in the town from the time of Frankpledge in the fourteenth, up to the formation of the Oxfordshire Constabulary in 1857, and those officials and townsfolk their duties bought them into contact with.