London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
London County Council 1936
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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59
Stamford House remand home
The following report has been received from Dr. John D. W. Pearce, part-time
medico-psychologist at Stamford House remand home:—
The period under review is one of transition. The remand home was transferred from
Ponton-road to Stamford House on 6th January, 1936. Greatly improved facilities were thereby
provided for the care and investigation of delinquent children and young persons.
The total number of admissions during the year was 2,608, of whom 2,132 were boys and 476 were girls. The numbers admitted each year since 1930 have been:—
| 1930 | 1931 | 1932 | 1933 | 1934 | 1935 | 1936 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 785 | 1,065 | 1,157 | 1,504 | 2,184 | 2,420 | 2,608 |
The courts dealing with these children and young persons, and the number dealt with at each court are as follows:—
| Name of court | Number dealt with | Name of court | Number dealt with | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1936 | 1935 | 1936 | 1935 | ||
| Caxton Hall | 169 | 129 | Hertfordshire | 30 | 36 |
| Toynbee Hall | 333 | 303 | Kent | 50 | 47 |
| Stamford House | 308 | 248 | Middlesex | 273 | 468 |
| Islington | 340 | 141 | Surrey | 57 | 22 |
| Hampstead | 10 | 6 | East Ham | 30 | 57 |
| Springfield Hall | 295 | 252 | West Ham | 78 | 87 |
| Southwark | 255 | 214 | Southend-on-Sea | 17 | 33 |
| Adult courts | 117 | 80 | Lodgers, etc. | 70 | 35 |
| City of London | 21 | 39 | Education Act, petty sessions | 31 | 24 |
| Buckinghamshire | 1 | — | Total | 2,608 | 2,420 |
| Berkshire | 1 | — | |||
| Essex | 122 | 199 | |||
The large number of cases admitted from Islington (340) should be noted. The decrease
later in the year in the number of admissions from out-county authorities is accounted for by the
fact that the accommodation at the remand home was needed for London cases and also that in
the autumn Middlesex County Council provided its own remand home.
The reasons for admission are shown in the subjoined table.
| Offences | 1936 | Offences | 1936 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stealing | 1,181 | Sex offences | 30 |
| Breaking, entering and stealing | 162 | Soliciting | 1 |
| Breaking and entering | 124 | Absconding from approved school | 7 |
| Burglary | 13 | ||
| Shopbreaking | 46 | Wandering | 9 |
| Sacrilege | I | Breach of recognisances | 77 |
| Embezzlement | 28 | Beyond control | 270 |
| Forgery | 7 | Care or protection | 300 |
| Demanding money by menaces | 1 | Education Act | 31 |
| False pretences | 6 | "Place of safety" and "lodgers" | 70 |
| Travelling without ticket | 11 | ||
| Suspected person | 102 | Motor-car stealing | 80 |
| Trespassing | 1 | Obstruction | 2 |
| Begging | 2 | Alien's Order | 1 |
| Insulting conduct | 6 | Stowaway | 1 |
| Wilful damage | 16 | Poisoning | 2 |
| Assault | 6 | Misconduct at approved school | 4 |
| Malicious wounding and grievous bodily harm | 7 | Other offences | - |
| Total | 2,608 | ||
| Murder and manslaughter | 1 | ||
| Attempted suicide | 2 |
A large increase in "beyond control" cases was observed (270 in 1936 compared with 196
in 1935). It will also be noted that 80 cases, all males, were charged with stealing motor-cars.
Most of these boys were in their 16th or 17 th year and were of good average intelligence. In
the majority of cases the cars were taken from parking places, and the offenders were rarely
alone. This offence is especially prevalent in the summer months. A seasonal incidence is
shown in certain other offences ; for example, cases of shopbreaking, entering and stealing, and
suspected persons are more common in the months of early nightfall.