Theft and Larceny: The Edwardian Women Forced to Pose in Police Mugshots, 1900s

 

Poverty often drives individuals to take desperate actions such as obtaining food, clothing and sustenance out of necessity. In their frustration, they may act recklessly.

During the Edwardian era in North Shields, England, women were often caught for "stealing".

It covers a wide range of crimes under the common law, defined as "the unlawful taking of personal property from a person or business".

Such acts include theft such as stealing clothes from the washing line, taking food from the table, or theft of personal items such as jewelry and money.

Most of the women brought to North Shields Police Station faced charges of theft, although habitual offenders were labeled "thieves".

In some instances, theft charges also extended to activities such as managing disorderly establishments, public intoxication, or lacking a fixed address.

The collection of mugshots presented here depicts women who committed crimes out of frustration or as a result of repeated illegal behavior.

All bear the marks of weariness caused by the constant struggle against poverty and constant misfortune. Their ages range from late teens to late thirties.

These photographs were taken at North Shields Police Station between 1902 and 1905 and are now preserved in the archives of Tyne and Wear Archives and Museum.

"Yesterday at North Shields, Susan Joyce (16), of 17 Front Street, Milburn Place, was charged with stealing, for the 15th time, the sum of 6s 5d, money, from the gas meter of a house, 18 Front Street, Tynemouth Gas Co. Of.

Sarah Nicholson, who lives in the house above, said she saw the meter lock broken and money taken out.

Ellen Watson, sister of the accused, said that she later went to his house with her apron full of copper.

The total was 5s 6d. Later he handed over the money to the police.

Detective Thornton worked the defendant into arrest and when charged he admitted to withdrawing money from the meter. The bench imposed a fine of 5s and 10s costs.

A September 1 newspaper report printed in the comments suggests that Annie Anderson may have been involved in prostitution.

A subsequent arrest report in the Shields Daily Gazette on 21 July 1904 makes it more clear that 'disorderly house' is a euphemism for brothel.

“Annie Anderson (34), North Shields, was charged with keeping a disorderly house in Liddell Street on July 1. Sergeant. Yes. Scougall proved the case.

Chief Constable Huish said the prisoner had been convicted of a similar offense on March 28 this year and sentenced to one month.

As soon as she came out of jail, she went back to her room and started doing household work as before.

The complaints received by the police in this regard were serious. The defendant, who pleaded not guilty, was committed to hard labor for three months.”