There are a quite a few news items that reference a constable Giles, often with collar (?) number 156 N, in relation to the North London Police Court. It's difficult to know for sure whether it's Edwin, or even the same constable, but given the remarks by Mr Fordham on the 1904 item it's seems possible that at least some are. Below are a few of note.
Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper
27 Nov 1898
- Police constable Giles, 156 N
- on duty in Shacklewell-lane Clapton
- saw fellow named Alfred Playford, aged 19, bookmaker
- running along hatless
- PC Giles stopped Playford and asked what became of his hat
- Playford stammered and gave false address
- Giles took him to station
- a reported assault by a a gang of "hooligans" about 1/4 mile from where Playford arrested
- Playford proved to be one of the ruffians wanted
- 3 or 4 men and women set upon by about 15 young brutes
- Playford was one of the attackers
- Giles set out to run down rest of attackers
- arrested ringleader, Stephen Pearce
- Pearce and Giles were before Mr Fordham at North London Police Court yesterday
- Pearce sentenced to 2 months hard labour
- Fordham highly commended Giles for his smart conduct
- Giles hopes to bring other ruffians to justice
Hackney and Kingsland Gazette
24 Dec 1900
Theft Of A Bicycle
A Constable Commended
- at North London Police Court
- William Hilton, 40, otherwise Fielder
- paperhanger
- with no home
- Charles Wallace, 22
- of no occupation
- with no fixed abode
- charged with been concerned together in stealing a bicycle
- property of George Youngs, butcher, of Grand Parade, Harringay
- Youngs was making call at house on Wednesday afternoon, in Seven Sisters
- left bicycle outside and was in house probably 10 minutes
- when he returned the bicycle was gone
- Youngs next saw bicycle at Newington Police Station
- Police constable Giles, 156 N, said he saw prisoners loitering in the neighbourhood of "Manor House"
- they watched Youngs get off bicycle and leave it
- when Youngs was inside house Wallace turned bicycle round and wheeled it away
- Giles directed another constable to follow Hilton
- Giles got in van and when he got level with Wallace and the bicycle,
- he got out and arrested the man
- prisoners were remanded for inquiries
- Mr Fordham marked the sheet: "I think Police constable Giles, 156 N, deserves commendation for his clever conduct in this case. He kept his eyes open and acted with intelligence. - E Snow Fordham."
Islington Gazette
08 Jan 1902
Burglaries At Highbury
The Detective's Clever Disguise
- John Williams, 58, a traveller
- of Graham Street, City Road
- charged, on remand, at North London Police Court, yesterday
- with burgling the house of Mr James Allen, restaurateur, of 137 Green Lanes
- and stealing some overcoats, gloves and a hat
- last week committed for 3 other charges of burglary at Highbury Newpark
- stolen umbrella and hat identified by Mr Allen found in room occupied by Williams
- at Graham Street
- Witness: Mrs Jane Barry, landlady of house at Graham Street
- Williams claimed to have had umbrella and hat before burglaries
- Barry could not swear to that
- Barry stated she understood Williams was a compositor,
- which accounted for his being so frequently away at night
- Mr Fordham re-called Constable Giles, of N division, who arrested the prisoner
- Giles said he saw Williams loitering at Stamford Hill and arrested him on suspicion
- Williams had housebreaking implements on him
- which he stated were tools used in his business as a carpenter
- Inspector Nicholls subsequently found the "tools" corresponded with marks upon 4 separate houses which had been burgled
- Mr Fordham (to Constable Giles): I believe that when you stopped the prisoner you were made up as a labourer?
- PC Giles: Yes. I had a sack over my shoulders, and was apparently watching a steam roller. (laughter)
- Mr Fordham: To see that nobody stole the steam roller? (laughter)
- PC Giles: Or anything else.
- Mr Fordham: Did anybody suggest that disguise?
- PC Giles: No, we are allowed to adopt any disguise we please.
- Mr Fordham: I have had on occasion to commend you before, and I do so now, because I consider you acted very cleverly and shrewdly in affecting this capture.
- PC Giles: Thank you, sir.
- Constable Keeble, who was also concerned in the case, said that the prisoner remarked
- that he did not care for forty uniform policemen, but that old man with the sack
- made up as a watchman quite outwitted him (laughter, in which the prisoner joined)
- Williams still asserted his innocence, and tried to show he had been drinking on that night
- Mr Fordham said he could tell all that to the jury at the Central Criminal Court
- to which he was now committed