In July 1853 an Affidavit was
filed In Chancery in support of an application for
liberty to contribute to the expence of
maintaining a policeman at Otterton. “That the
population contains 1,000.... and that the
inhabitants consists mostly of farmers and
labourers and a few tradesmen.......That a large
proportion of the inhabitants bear a bad
character, many of them appearing to live well
without any visible means, that depredations are
almost of constant occurance also plunder by night
and malicious injury to property, breaking gates,
cutting down railings, lopping trees. The salmon
hutch in the Mill leat had fish stolen. Two months
ago a disturbance took place at the Kings Arms, a
constable from outside was called to quell the
riot and was assaulted and his house set on fire”.
A Vestry Meeting was called and the Lighting &
Watching Act of 1833 was adopted. A Police Officer
was to be appointed and £30 to be raised as salary
for 3 years. A Clink, Police cottages and Clothing
were to be provided. Under the Act until 1872,
police constables were controlled and paid by the
Parish Vestry. The clink was provided by the Rolle
Estates, Rent 10/- p.a. , built into the bank in
Maunders Hill where Maunders Place (2 cottages)
stand today. By 1859 the clink had not been used
and the Estate took it back. John Sargeant is the
first constable named in 1857 Billings Directory.
Not known where he lived, but in 1861 Census John
Clark, age 31, Devon Constabulary is living in the
Sidmouth Road, ie. Ottery Street. In 1876 No.5 The
Green became the Police House, PC Walter Johns
followed by PC’s Pike, Madge, Brown, Phillips,
Board and Harry Gale who was moved to No 63.Fore
Street in 1926 which had a side passage so that
the Constable did not have to go through The Green
cottage to attend a call.
P.C. Frederick Phillips, wife
& family moved to No.5 The Green in August
1909 placing their son, Montague, age 3 ½ at
Otterton School. PC Phillips had bought himself a
new silver pedal cycle with money from an
inheritance. His Superintendent forbade him riding
it. Phillips probably bore a grudge as he is known
to ask a carrier to take him to Exeter, and then
sued him for carrying a policeman on duty. He is
also known to have been hard on the young of the
village, as told to me by the late Gerry Smith.
1909
PC Phillips and wife and cycle
In 1944 P.C.Harris
apprehended “Smokey Joe” a lad of 17 ½ who caused
a number of fires on Woodbury Common. P.C.Lemon
followed in the 1950’s.Then P.C. Brian Tucker from
February 1961 to June 1964. During his time he was
on duty to deal with a 4 year old boy was killed
by a large pipe that was dislodged by children
playing on the Green. Also a mechanic at Coles
Garage, Crosstrees, working in a pit under a car
was killed by a electric shock from a cable. P.C.
Tucker performed artificial respiration to no
avail. 1967 Devon Constabulary amalgamated to
become Devon and Cornwall and they bought a plot
of land, site of “Pyracantha Cottage”, Lea Road
for a Police House. They then decided to withdraw
Police from Otterton. The plot was sold off and
“Lancresse” house built.
Gerald Millington 2018
In 1934 Constable Ivor
Herbert Morgan became village police officer at
Otterton. Later stationed at Exmouth, before WW2.
Anthony Morgan 2019
SOURCES
Clinton Devon Estates
Archives: Letter Books, Directories Devon Record
Office P.C.Brian Tucker (Retd.)
