A CENTURY ago, members of the Worcester City Police Force were still being given an annual outing, though it always had to be taken over two separate days.

The Journal explained why: "Worcester is a well ordered city but it could not prudently be left without a police force, even for one day in the year. As a result, the annual outing is held in two parts to ensure the city is guarded even when many of the police have their pleasure.

"This year, the police force went half at a time on two trips down river to Tewkesbury aboard the steamer 'Belle,' enjoying games on the riverside meadows and having a supper and entertainment on board ship on the return from what everyone considered a capital excursion."

Transported to Botany Bay

SOME local offenders of 200 years ago found themselves paying a harsh price for their crimes.

The Journal of 1801 stated: "On Sunday last, 15 convicts were sent from our Jail to Portsmouth to be put on board a transport bound for Botany Bay."

Two in court for assaulting police officers

A COUPLE of magistrates court cases in the same week's Journal of 1901 suggested that Worcester policemen were not always well treated.

"John Waterson (38), labourer of Lich Street made his 40th appearance in court for being drunk and disorderly and was also charged with assaulting PC Hawker. The prisoner went to a local lodging house but being so drunk was ordered to leave. He had to be ejected by PC Hawker but attacked the officer outside, wrestling him to the ground and dealing him two severe blows to the face. Waterson was sent down for 14 days.

"Robert Davis (31), stone mason of Bromwich Road was charged with being drunk and disorderly, refusing to quit the Talbot Hotel in Barbourne and with assaulting PC Hazelton who was left with a very bad black eye. As it was his first offence, Davis was fined a total of £1 for the offences."