Thieves, safe-breakers robbers and fraudsters: The faces of the 1930s criminal fraternity who terrorised Tyneside

• Photographs of the criminals had lain hidden for decades, until a chance discovery saw the book uncovered in a junk shop and handed to experts
• From thieves and safe-breakers, to robbers and fraudsters, the images give  fascinating glimpse into the murky world of Tyneside's in 1930s 

From thieves and safe-breakers, to robbers and fraudsters, these images give a fascinating glimpse into the murky world of Tyneside’s 1930s criminal fraternity.
The photographs of the criminals had lain hidden for decades, until a chance discovery saw a book of mugshots uncovered in a junk shop and handed to experts.
They are thought to be from a police identification book, used to document the habits and descriptions of known criminals in 1930s Newcastle.

Smile for the camera: John Dodgson, listed as a 'general thief and bad character 'who had 'extensively tattooed forearms and hands'. His image was found in a rare book in a junk shop containing the mugshots of some of the most notorious convicts of 1930s

Convict: James Hargreaves Jones, a beggar and housebreaker - his distinguishing feature was a scar running along the side of his cheek from a wound

Little else is known about the mugshots, although some clues appear in the documents.
One of the men, William Jones, whose alias was Robert Dodds, is mysteriously noted as 'dead, died in action Benwell Hotel'.

 

Though no other details as to the nature of his death are given, his crimes are
described as 'larceny, burglary, house and shoplifting'.

Criminal; Arthur Bell was caught for larceny and breaking into properties

Jones, who was born in 1876, and had tattoos including a sailor’s head and a naked woman, was said to use various methods of entry to premises and worked alone.

He also played the violin outside pubs and had a conviction in the United States of America for shooting a man.
Another particularly colourful character is James Lowrie, otherwise known as the 'Sunderland Kid'.
He was accused of 'larceny from person, and robbery' and was described as an 'expert pickpocket who associates with all classes of pickpockets'.
One of the perpetrators, Dick Albert, is described as a 'general all-round
thief and safebreaker'.

On camera: James Isadore Epstine (aka James Robertson) who was a thief as well as involved in embezzlement

Another, John Dodgson, is described as a 'general thief and bad character'.
Thomas Giles, also known as Thomas O’Malley, meanwhile, was a burglar who also dabbled in metal theft and counterfeit coins.
The notes with the mugshots offer details of criminals and their distinguishing markings, which are labelled as 'peculiarities'.

Named and shamed: Thief James Casey whose distinguishing marks included tattoos on his forearm including 'True Love' 'Evelyn' and a heart

John Gallagher is described as having a missing left eye and James Hargreaves Jones as having 'wound scar rt. side of face'.
Carolyn Ball, manager of Tyne and Wear Archives, said: 'These mugshots were
originally found in a junk shop by a member of the public and subsequently donated to the archives.
'They offer an intriguing insight into the crimes of the era and the way they were described.

Dodgy underworld: Lone thief John Thomas Hollings - his distinguishing marks include scars on his right jaw, neck and back of his hand

Revealed: Thomas Orange who broke into shops and warehouses

'These images are absolutely fascinating and it’s great that we are able to share them online in this way.
'They are proving very popular as well with over 15,000 views since they were posted.'

Caught: An image of John Williams Archibold - he broke into shops and pubs in the afternoon