Thanks to Tyne & Wear Archives we have access to an amazing glimpse of North East life back in the 1930s- criminal life to be exact.
All of these mug shots come from a police identification book, originally found in a junk shop by a member of the public who then donated it to the archive.
What’s really interesting about these men is not one of them is above 5’9, with the average height of the group being around 5’4. This fact shows how much the stature of Geordie’s has changed in as little as 90 years.
From Larceny to safebreaking, here’s a look at criminals of the past
5. James Lowrie aka “Sunderland Kid"
Born: 1892; Trade: Labourer; Marks: Tatt left hand; M.O: Larceny from person and Robbery. An expert pickpocket. Associates with all classes of pickpocket. | T&W Archive
6. James Isadore Epstine
Born: 1905; Trade: Billiard Marker; Peculiarities: Squints; M.O: Larceny, Embezzlement; Shop & Warehousebreaking. Entrance effected by means of window at the rear of the premises. Works alone. | T&W Museums
7. James Finlay
Born: 1903; Trade: Motor mechanic; M.O: Housebreaking | Tyne & Wear Museums
8. James Casey
Born 1906; Trade: Gardener; Marks: Heart, clasped hands, True Love, Evelyn rt. forearm; M.O: Specialises in various forms of larceny. | Tyne & Wear Archives