If you mentioned Matt Liddy, it was like mentioning Dick Barton, the special agent. “Send for Matt Liddy!” People used to say. Once he was on the case, criminals look out!

My family had a shop and my father slept over the door of the shop. The night policeman would come up and call “Are you alright Frank?” “Right” would come the reply, and the policeman would go on his way.

If there was a hole in the road, there would be a night watchman on duty and he would have a brazier burning warmly during the night. The policeman on his beat would sit down with him and have a cup of something hot. In those days the police were right in the community and almost part of the family.
Les And Flo Kane