Found in an 1839 report on policing, Edward LEWIS was one of the Poor Law Guardians for Bayford. Crime was so bad in the area (before proper policing) that the local residents subscribed to hire a private policeman and applied to the Metropolitan police for one of their officers to be sent down. Richard HALL of Totteridge also gave evidence to the parliamentary committee. He'd be living in the area for 21 years i.e. since 1818. He also owned land at Codicote near Welwyn. Francis SAPTE was credited with bringing proper policing to Codicote by persuading an officer from the Metropolitan police to move to the village which resulted in the break-up of a marauding gang of criminals. Seven of this gang were transported Elaine Saunders Author: A Book About Pub Names www.completetext.com/ebooks.html