crime

[sara jane]

well im really fed up. have been trying to find out more about a crime my mother commited in the late 60s early 70s, and seem to be coming up with nothing at all. have looked in the times online nothing, have even contacted the hackney archives and the national archives. still nothing. has anyone got any ideas. i have a very good reason, as to why i need this info. but which ever way i turn seem to be hitting a brick wall

[babygirl101]

well im really fed up. have been trying to find out more about a crime my mother commited in the late 60s early 70s, and seem to be coming up with nothing at all. have looked in the times online nothing, have even contacted the hackney archives and the national archives. still nothing. has anyone got any ideas. i have a very good reason, as to why i need this info. but which ever way i turn seem to be hitting a brick wall


Was it worthy of a mention in the local paper I wonder - if so, it might be worth contacting them to see if they have back editions available, or perhaps the local library would have some - just a thought??

BG

[Peter Goodey]

You may like to read this
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=402

This refers to the position from 1972 when the system changed but it will give you a taste.

If you want to know this, I think you'll have to be prepared to put in a bit of work.

As has been suggested, the local press might be the best place to start. You can track these down at the British Library newspaper collection.

[Waitabit]

If your Mother did really commit a crime, & you obviously have reason to find out, could you not consult with the 'Law' inthe place where it took place? With a bit of luck, it may have been put online in "Police Central" or whatever the mainframe is called.

for instance, I just Googled "Police Records UK" & several pages of info. came up. May well tell you what steps to take.


:)

[sara jane]

Was it worthy of a mention in the local paper I wonder - if so, it might be worth contacting them to see if they have back editions available, or perhaps the local library would have some - just a thought??

BG

because we lived in stoke newington, when she was arrested. ive been told that it was all over the newspapers at the time. so i will contact them to see if they can help

[sara jane]

If your Mother did really commit a crime, & you obviously have reason to find out, could you not consult with the 'Law' inthe place where it took place? With a bit of luck, it may have been put online in "Police Central" or whatever the mainframe is called.

for instance, I just Googled "Police Records UK" & several pages of info. came up. May well tell you what steps to take.


:)

thanks will give that a go.

[sara jane]

You may like to read this
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=402

This refers to the position from 1972 when the system changed but it will give you a taste.

If you want to know this, I think you'll have to be prepared to put in a bit of work.

As has been suggested, the local press might be the best place to start. You can track these down at the British Library newspaper collection.

thank you for suggesting the national archives catalouge., which i had a look at, my mothers name popped up pretty quick and the year, unfortualty not able to request a copy of the document, due to the freedom of information act, but will now try to track down a newspaper report, as have been told that it was featured quite a lot in the local newspapers.

[Peter Goodey]

unfortualty not able to request a copy of the document, due to the freedom of information act

Not knowing what the catalogue says it's difficult to comment but it may be possible for you to see a specific document under Freedom of Information even though the file is closed to the general public for browsing.

You must be in a position to prove that she was your mother and that she is deceased.

I'm no expert on FoI but why not put in an FoI request? The worst that can happen is that they turn you down.

[Geoffers]

the national archives catalogue., which i had a look at, my mothers name popped up pretty quick and the year.

Do try Peter's suggestion above - the review can be carried out very quickly.

Also, depending on the offence, it is worth checking the catalogue to see if there is more than one file. For example, you may have found a file with an ASSI or CRIM code, also try looking in case there is a related file under:

HO - Home Office
MEPO - Metropolitan Police
PCOM - Prison Commission

Whereas one file may just record a year, another file may give an exact date, which would obviously help in tracking down newspaper reports.

it may be worth a search of Archives at TimesOnline (searching the index is free, you just pay to view articles) as this is can be a simple way of locating newspaper reports for some offences.

[v.wells]

Here in Canada persons who commit crimes under the age of 18 are treated as Juveniles and their records are sealed. I don't know how it works in England.

Good luck Sara. It sounds most intriguing!:)

[sara jane]

hi here in england, they can close the files for an unlimited time, which can make things difficult, because my mother commited a crime when i was quite young. it has affected me now im older, i have to go for counselling, which has made me want, to find out that bit more

[v.wells]

It might be worthwhile to email an enquiry for newspaper articles for that year from the local library. I have found them to most responsive to any of my requests. Another idea is to google just the surname + year and see if any hits come up.

[sara jane]

Not knowing what the catalogue says it's difficult to comment but it may be possible for you to see a specific document under Freedom of Information even though the file is closed to the general public for browsing.

You must be in a position to prove that she was your mother and that she is deceased.

I'm no expert on FoI but why not put in an FoI request? The worst that can happen is that they turn you down.

thanks for the advice how do i go about putting in a request to the FoI

[Jan1954]

thanks for the advice how do i go about putting in a request to the FoIHave a read of this page (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Yourrightsandresponsibilities/DG_4003239) on the direct.gov website.

[Geoffers]

thanks for the advice how do i go about putting in a request to the FoI

Carry out your search on TNA's catalogue. Select the file from the list of hits (click on the underlined bit beneath the heading 'Title/Scope and Content').

You will probably then see next to 'Availability' the following:

"Closed or retained document.
This document was closed under the Public Records Act or is exempt under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. It is possible to request a review of the information it contains under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and this will trigger a review"

After that should be a link 'Request Review'

Click on that and complete the form that opens up. Make sure that you include your relationship to the offender.

[sara jane]

hi thank you for your advice, i serched the catalouge, and again her name came up. but there was no link saying request review, instead it said open document.open description,normal closure foi act 30 years so does this mean i dont have to apply to the foi

[Ladkyis]

hi thank you for your advice, i serched the catalouge, and again her name came up. but there was no link saying request review, instead it said open document.open description,normal closure foi act 30 years so does this mean i dont have to apply to the foi

If the file is more than 30 years old then that's exactly what it means. If the document is not more than 30 years old you will have to provide a good reason for wanting to see it.

FoI is not a place or person it is the Freedom of Information act - FoI act

[Jane Gee]

If you need to apply officially have you thought about trying to get some support regarding an application to the relevant organisation It is possible the CAB might be able to give some support. I work for the civil service and tomorrow I will ask my friend who has worked as a volunteer we refer loads of people for various things. If they cant help she may be able to offer some words of advice. When it comes to things official it is very often how you word things. If you really have difficulty it might even be worth drafting a letter to your local MP. I lost patience with the powers that be and wrote to our local mp (home secretary) who sorted our problem out asap. Leave no stone unturned!
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[v.wells]

well im really fed up. have been trying to find out more about a crime my mother commited in the late 60s early 70s, and seem to be coming up with nothing at all. have looked in the times online nothing, have even contacted the hackney archives and the national archives. still nothing. has anyone got any ideas. i have a very good reason, as to why i need this info. but which ever way i turn seem to be hitting a brick wall

Sarah,

Have you tried googling the name? It might show up and be found under the "cached" files, which you can click on. It will bring up the relevant information as that is what I have done with mine of the names I am looking for. Also another search engine like altavista or metacrawler may find something different. I have also found wills this way.