200 years ago there was a lot of crime in Norfolk and until 1823, there were 200 different crimes that could lead to execution if found guilty. The policy didn’t work and so was scrapped in 1823 to start to allow more prison sentences rather than executions. This wave of liberalism didn’t please everyone.
The newspaper reported this serious crime:
“On Saturday evening as Mr. Caddiwold, of Kimberley, was returning home from our market, he was stopped and robbed near the Forehoe Wood by three men, who to accomplish their diabolical object, fixed a rope across the road, and as soon as Mr. C. came in contact with it, one of the villains jumped up behind his gig and passed over Mr. C.’s head a piece of wood, with a joint in the middle, so as to form a gripe, in the shape of a pair of compasses; between which the robber held his head so fast that he was unable to stir, and at the same time demanded his money. Mr. C. alarmed at being thus suddenly placed in a situation where it was impossible for him either to escape or resist, begged to be let at liberty, and said he would give them what money he had. Upon which, another of the fellows who was standing at the horse’s head, called out “let a little looser,” which being done, Mr. C. gave them his pocket book, containing five pounds, and was then suffered to proceed home.—These daring villains made an attempt the same evening to stop Mr. J. Smith, of Kimberley, in the same way, but the rope fortunately was placed rather too high, and caught his hat, which flew off, and he escaped.—A man has been taken into custody, in whose possession this new invented apparatus was found, and has since been discharged.”
The incident took place at Forehoe Wood which is on the Norwich Road towards Kimberley, near to Carleton Forehoe. This area had seen incidents similar to this from the 1780s and so there must have been some terror for those travelling in this area.