This
newspaper report dates from 1833 and refers to a worrying outbreak of
highway robberies. Read the source carefully and then try to answer
the questions to see what it tells you about crime at this time. A transcript
is available and there is a worksheet for you to record your thoughts.
1. How
many robberies have taken place according to this report?
2. Does
the report make it sound as though these robberies were common? What
gives you that impression?
3. What
does the author find shocking about these robberies?
4. What
does this tell you about crime, or the perception of crime, at this
time?
5. The
report mentions the police. What does the author want them to do?
6.What
does this tell us about the role of police in the 1830s. How does this
differ from today?
7.Who does
the author think is responsible for the robberies? Does this tell us
anything about crime at the time?
Once
you have finished, move on to the next source to find out about the
notorious serial killer, Mary Ann Cotton.
