Page 302 - Reading Mercury

At Shute End, the residence of Mr. Weight, surgeon, an entrance was affected by
opening a window on the ground floor at the back of the house. The thieves ransacked
three rooms down stairs, and carried off silver plate to the amount of upwards of thirty
pounds. They were evidently experienced hands, as they carefully examined the
whole, and left behind them the plated articles. They decamped without alarming the
inmates, and the robbery was first discovered by the servants in the morning.
The burglars then visited the house of Mr. Gadd in Rose Street, and got into the
garden from the back fields; they then opened a sliding window at the back, and
entered and left the house without the knowledge of the inmates, but their booty was
more confined to a sum of fifteen shillings.
They also got into the house of Mr. C. Higgs, a few doors below Mr. Gadd’s in a
similar manner, but it is supposed that they were disturbed as nothing was missed.
A few doors off the inmates of the house were alarmed by the furious barking of the
yard dog, which doubtless caused the thieves to decamp. No trace of the men has yet
been discovered, although the police are actively pursuing their enquiries. These
robbers following so quickly on similar ones during the spring have raised a feeling of
insecurity amongst the townspeople who feel that they are insufficiently protected and
that the police force stationed there, however efficient, is inadequate for the
surveillance of this largely increasing town and its suburbs.

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Sat 20 July
THE LATE BURGLARIES
The authors of the late robberies still remain undetected, although a close inquiry
has been instituted by the police. At the request of many of the inhabitants, the
Alderman convened a meeting of the Corporation which was held in the Council
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Chamber on the 12 inst., when the subject was fully discussed, and the opinion
expressed, that looking at the increase of our town and its suburbs, the police force
permanently stationed at Wokingham is insufficient to efficiently protect and patrol so
large an area, and the Alderman was requested to communicate with the Chief
Constable of the County this view, and express the feelings of uneasiness which
prevail, with the hope that he may be able to increase the police force; so as to remove
cause for further alarm. It will be well if householders will carefully inspect the
fastenings of their premises, especially at the rear, and also aid the police in the
suppression of vagrancy by refusing to relieve tramps who merely make calls in the
day time to enable them to more easily carry out their depredations at night.

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Sat 10 Aug
THE BANK HOLIDAY
Last Monday was more generally observed as a holiday in this town than on any
previous occasion. The persistent downfall of rain during the greater part of the day,
however, sadly marred the enjoyment of the pleasure-seekers. Mander’s excellent
menagerie was liberally patronised.

THE LATE BURGLARIES
It is some satisfaction to know that the perpetrator of these outrages has been traced,
and still more so to know that he is now in safe custody.
In last week’s Mercury we gave an account of the capture of a ruffian named
Thomas Williams who fired several times at the night-watchman at Wycombe Abbey
on the previous Sunday morning

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