The National Register.
London, England, 1823-03-10 00:00:00

POLICE.

BOW STREET.
On Monday last, a well d t . d youth, about 16 years
old, was brought op by W. Smith, and another of the
patrol, who had taken him into custody on the preceding
evening on suspicion of having stolen a hat. He was
accompanied by his father, a respectable looking elderly
man, attired inn military cloak.
The statemettenf the officers was, that on the preceding
evening there was a fire in .Berwick-street, Soho, and a
great crowd collected, among which the thieves were
particularly active, and among oilier tricks that they re.
suited to, was that of knocking cff men's hats and iodides
away with them. While the officers were on ditty, they
saw the prisoner leave the crowd with a hat under his
arm, besides that which hilted on his bead. Conceiving
gist he liaJ stolen it, they 'took him into custody, and on
his way to the watch-house 'he said he was the son of a
respectable man, and that he had been sent for the hat
by his father. Before he reached the watch-house, he
offered to give the hat to the officers it they would let
bun go. This strengthened their suspicion, and they had
hint locked up for the night. They had madeinmairy that
morning, and fouled that his stogy was true, and they had
therefore no charge against him.
The Magistrate (Mr. Halls) expressed his regret that
the led should have been confitied all night; tuft the ta-
llier must <feel that the officers had done no more than
their duty. The boy mast of coarse be discharged.
The father took away his son, and there the matter was
supposed to haveruded : but on Tuesday evening, as
soon as Sir Richard Biruie and Mr. Halls had taken their
Seats, James Sedgwick, E.,q. chairman of the Omani.-
shine's of Stamps, entered the office, and proceeded to
lay a complaint before the magiorates, of the conduct of
the officers, who he said had exceeded the limits of their
authority.,4ol4l had unjustly imprisoned the son of a res-
pectable man.
Sir R. Millie, upon hearing the circumstances, declared
his opinion that the officers had done uo more than their
duty.
Mr. Sedgwick said they had. They onght not to have
locked op the lad when they were told that he was the son
of a respectable man, and had been merely sent on an
errand. They ought to have made inquiry.
Sir B.Birnie said, that officers were not obliged to be-
lieve every story that was told them by those whom they
happened to lake into custody.
Mr. Sedgwick said they ought to have made enquiry.
It was not to he borne, that the son of a respectable and
honourable man should be shut up for a whole night in
the black hole of a watch-house, among felons and prosti-
tutes, at the caprice of a couple of police officers. He
was determined that the boy should have justice done.
Sir It. Bailie:a-Well, Sir, )011 are at liberty to take
what steps you please; but we have nothiug to d . with it.
If the officers have done wrong, they ate amenable to the
law. You can indict then) •1 the ses.ions.
Mr. Sedgwick.—lndict them at the seasionsl Anal
what satisfaction would that het It is your duly, tilling
4 here as a Magistrate, to see that officers do their duty
property.
Sir R. Birnie.—l think they did their duty properly.
They saw this boy with a hat which they thought lie lied
stolen, suit under the cirennistances, their aupicioo was
well f led, and They hail a right to take him into cos-
tody.
Mr. Sedgwiek.—Sir, that boy is u incapable of stealing
a lint as von ale.
sir R. ltd air (rising from his
cu%sililititi'iaraciPtre,:.. wed
Officers, I chair.)—Sir,
imar 'lViyiikbinonwrhoeit what
ieY
kosil
bi Me
is due to sly rank and situation
portaneeMA
society. 1 care alto or what *V Sr..
and L desire you wilt leave thae
dna nine.

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