Casburn, John – Grantham’s Chief Constable got an OBE

John Robert Casburn  (1871-1948)

John Robert Casburn  was appointed Chief constable of Grantham Borough Police in 1898

Even during 1919, there were only 16 policemen patrolling the town. The official level was 24.

His annual report said this included two pensioned officers, two volunteers and two women.

He was responsible for setting on first official policewoman Edith Smith, although had set on three volunteer women before her..

Crimes included 56 simple larcenies, 14 burglaries, a forgery, a bigamy and a suicide. Of the 36 people arrested, six were women. Property worth £279 was stolen during the year, much of which were bicycles stolen in the street. One sweep and nine pedlars’ licences were issued and 108 vehicles were licensed as hackney carriages.There were 28 licences for storing petroleum.

He was awarded an OBE in 1934, retiring three years later to be succeeded by by William Weatherhogg.