A theft of many silver items from a Stamford House caused the Stamford Association for prosecuting Robbers to place an advert offering huge rewards for information. This was well before the Metropolitan Police force was formed by Sir Robert Peel in 1829. County Police forces were not formed until 1839/40. But quite why Mr. Robinson was hoarding such a huge number of counterfeit halfpennies (between 1200 and 1440 coins), is unclear!
“STAMFORD ASSOCIAITION for prosecuting Robbers, &c. November 29th, 1783.
Whereas the Dwelling-House of Mr. JOSEPH ROBINSON, in Stamford, situate in St. Michael’s Parish, was last Night Broke Open and the following Articles stole:
One Silver Half Pint Mug, very old, plain; a Silver Cream Jug, mark’d E W on one side of the Feet, also plain; Five Silver Tea Spoons, mark’d S R; and Two old plated Butter Boats.
Also from the Counting-House, between Fifty and Sixty Shillings in Halfpence, chiefly counterfeited, and One Shilling. W. G. with a date engraved thereon, and in a canvas Purse a small enamelled Snuff Box, a Penknife Tortoiseshell hafted, and Two Steel Watch Chains, all new; One Guinea and an Half in Gold, and about Six Shillings and Six pence in Silver.
> An old Chissel, with a Deal Handle, newly and badly put on, was found in the Counting House and seems to have been used in forcing the Lock.
If any Person will give information of the Offender or Offenders, so that they may be convicted of Burglary, shall receive from Mr. Thomas Smith, the Treasurer of this Society, FIVE GUINEAS, and from Mr. Robinson TEN GUINEAS, over and above the Reward of FORTY POUNDS offered by Act of Parliament, and all reasonable Expenses.”
The Stamford Mercury, 4th December, 1783.