The Sun.
London, England, 1839-03-05 00:00:00

NEW POLICE ?SILL•

This is a Bill for improving the police in and near the
Metropolis, and was introduced in the House of Com-
mons, last week, by the Government.
,It consists of
87 clauses, in several of which, very rational changes.
both as regards the police force, and the public arc pro-
posed. The first clause enacts that the city of London t
turd the river Thames, in and near the Metropolis, shall
be inciatieil within the provision of the Act, and that
the constables of the Metropolitan Police force shall
have power to act in the City and Liberties as fully as
in any of the other districts. The fourth and fifth
enact that the ancient right of electing Ward Consta-
bles shall be abolished, anti that the expenses of the ,
City Police shall be paid by the Chamberlain to the
Receiver of the Police district, and at the rate of Bd. In
the pound- The Act for appointing Westminster consta-
bles and compelling proper persons to act as jurymen to
prevent nuisances, is to be abolished. The authority of
the Metropolitan Police is to extend throughout the
Central Criminal Court district, and also to any place
not more than fifteen miles from Charing c.ross ; and
tt
is proposed to grant 20,0001. yearly out of the Consoli-
dated Fund, for defraying the increased chart's of the
Police Force, for the performance of duties heretofore
performed by the Horse Patrol and the Thames Police.
The Commissioners are to have the power of
swearing in any additional numbers of constables to keep
the peace at the charge of the parties making the
application, but subject to the orders of the Commis-
sioners. A sufficient number of constables are to at-
tend upon the Lord Mayor, then sitting as the Ma-
gistrate at the Mansion-house, and upon the sitting
Aldermen at Guildhall, and all summonses and war-
rants issued in any criminal proceeding within the
district are to be executed by them. Constables to
be liable to a fine of 101. for any neglect or violation
of duty, or imprisoned at the discretion of the Magis-
trate for one month ; and every person assaulting or re-
sisting any police-constable in the execution of his
duty, to be liable to a penalty not exceeding 10/. or im-
prisonment for two months. It is proposed also to raise,
the salaries of the Commissioners to 1,2001. a-year
each, and to form a " Police Superannuation Fund."
These are the principal clauses relating to the,
Police. The remainder apply to the public, and
the following are the chief alterations proposed :----
No coffee-shop or house of refreshment shall be opened
before five o'clock in the morning, or be kept open after
the hour of one after midnight, under a penalty of 101.
Freemen of the Vintners' Company not to sell wine with-
out license ; public-houses to be closed on Sundays*
Christmas-day, and Good Friday, bet Ween eight in the
morning and one in the afteimoon, and licensed victuallers
supplying any boy or girl under fourteen years with
liquor to be drunk on the premises, are to be liable to
a penalty not exceeding 20s. for the first .offence, 40se
for the second, and 5/. for the third offence, They are
also to be liable to a penalty of 10/. for knowinglY
allowing common prostitutes, reputed thieves, or dis'
orderly drunken persons to continue in their houses*
The Superintendents of Police may be authorised by
the Commissioners to enter into licensed theatzes and

gamirg-house. Persons keeping places for bear-baiting,
dog-fighting, &c., to be liable to a penalty of 101,

and every person present to ss. each ; and pawn-
brokers taking pledges from persons under sixteen
years of age, to be liable, to a penalty of 5/. AnY
Constable may without a warrant arrest persons commit-
ting certain nuisances enumerated—such as defacing
walls, distributing indecent prints or songs, using insult-
ing language with intent to provoke a breach of the
the peace, &c., and also take into custody every corn•
mon prostitute or night walker loitering in the street to
the annoyance of passengers. • The 77th clause gives
the night constable the power to take the recognisance
of any person brought to the station house for an of-
fence of which he is liable to be summarily convicted
before a Magistrate.