How did Crime in Richmond
influence the culture and life style
of the first half of the 20th Century?
Squizzy Taylor
What crime happened in Richmond?
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Grog dealings
Illegal bet’s
Prostitution
Pickpocketing (minor offences)
Robbery
Murder
Gang Wars (Fitzroy Vendetta)
Did life style influence crime in
Richmond?
Richmond, Melbourne was taken over by factories in
the early 20th century. These factories impacted the
lifestyle of those in Richmond of the time. These
factories polluted the environment of Melbourne and
opened low paying jobs for those in the area. Factory
workers were essentially getting payed slave wages. So
their payment influences their desperate need for
money which inturn also influences crime.
Who committed crime in Richmond?
and what Crimes were committed?
Squizzy Taylor:
 Fitzroy Vendetta
 Murder
 Pickpocketing
 Robbery
 Murder
Henry Stokes:
 Shooting
Geo Read:
 Abandonment
of his two
children
Sarah Thompson:
 Drunk and
Disorderly
Edith Brass:
 Assault
What was the lifestyle like in
Richmond? And who lived there?
Richmond was mainly inhibited by poor people or
people of less wealth. Richmond was considered to be a
slum.
Richmond contained a lot of factories such as Pelaco
Shirt and the Rosella Jam Factory. People in need of
work would go to live in Richmond to work in these
Factories.
Melbourne 1920’s 
How was Richmond perceived by the
other residents of Melbourne?
Crime changed the reputation of the suburb as it
usually does, creating a very negative stigma about
Richmond. People were scared to go to Richmond from
fear of mugging or other offences.
Richmond is like “walking through a continuous cloud
of smoke”.
What sort of punishments did the
crimes committed in Richmond
receive?
 Death Penalty:
Death penalties had been a part of the legal system of
Australia since British settlement. During the 1900’s,
crimes that committed such as burglary, sheep stealing,
forgery, sexual assaults, murder and man slaughter could
all result in corporal punishment. In the 19th century about
80 people had been hanged each year in Australia.
Before and after the federation of Australia, each state
made up its own mind towards corporal punishment.
Squizzy Taylor 
Bibliography:
Websites:
Victoria Police - Richmond
Depot information
Melbourne Crime Statistics
Squizzy Taylor Walk
Women in Crime
Historical Newspaper reports
on crime
NSW Consolidated Acts
Corporal Punishment
Squizzy Taylor
Richmond, Melbourne VIC
History of Richmond
URL:
http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=646
http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/crimestatistics-check-your-suburbs-crime-rate/
http://melbournewalks.com.au/squizzy-taylor-tour/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2103393/Womensmug-shots-1920s-Australia.html
http://australiancrimes.com/gangsters.html
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/ca190082/s1
9a.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/07aug/01821/Oceania.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squizzy_Taylor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond,_Victoria
http://www.ignatius.org.au/RichmondsHistory.htm
Fun Facts
 Did you know that Squizzy Taylor the infamous
criminal went into hiding for over a year.
 Did you know that Squizzy Taylor had four alias’
Squizzy Taylor, Leslie Grout, Michael McGee and
David Donoghue.
 The last person hanged in Australia was Ronald Ryan
for killing a police officer.
Gang Wars
 Fitzroy Vandetta: (1919) Squizzy Taylor the well known criminal
of Melbourne was heavily involved in the Fitzroy Vendetta. It
was a gang war between those in Fitzroy and Richmond.
Squizzy Taylor being the leader of the Richmond gang. The feud
origins from a very carefully planned robbery of one thousand
four hundred and thirty five pounds worth of diamond rings.
Grog Dealings/Illegal Bets
 Grog Dealings: Illegal dealings of alcohol took place
on the streets of Richmond selling alcohol to
underage kids and after hours for extravagant prices.
 Illegal Bets: Un registered betting on sports and
horses.
Prostitution/Pickpocketing
 Prostitution: The practice or occupation of engaging
in sex with someone for payment.
 Pickpocketing: The art of stealing from someone's
pocket or bag.
Robbery/Murder
 Robbery: The act of stealing from a person or place
with force.
 Murder: The unlawful premeditated killing of one
human being by another.