The Sun.
London, England, 1827-12-22 00:00:00

POLICE OF THE METROPOLIS.

An important circular, of which the following is
a copy, was yesterday transmitted to the different
police-offices in the metropolis, from the Marquis of
Lansdowne, addressed to the Magistrates :
(clacuLAa.)
WHITEHALL, DEC. 20.

GENTLEMEN—I am directed by the Marquis of Lans-
downe to desire that you will give the necessary orders for
making out a detailed report, or account, of the proceed-
ings of the police-office at --, to be written by one
of the clerks, and to be signed by one of the Magistrates iu
attendance at eight o'clock every evening.

The report is to contain a short statement of the sub-
stance of all informations received at your office in the course
of the day, in cases of felonies, and of all misdemeanors of
an aggravated nature, and of all informations against re-
ceivers of stolen goods, reputed thieves, and of all offenders
who may have escaped from custody.
Your report will also state the time, the place, and any
particular circumstance, marking the offences, the names of
persons not in custody who are charged, if known; or if
not known, their appearance or dress, or any mark of iden-
tity that can be described ; the names also of accessories,
together with any other particular that is known, which
may lead to their apprehension.

Your report will also give the names of all persons
put before the Magistrates in the course of the day charged
with any of the offences above-mentioned, and state whe-
ther they are committed for trial or re-examination, or
whether otherwise disposed of.
It will also contain a description of property that has
been stolen, with as much particularity as can be given,
and should state every circumstance with respect to stolen
property that may be useful for the purpose of tracing and
recovering it.
The particular evidence given by witnesses is not to be
stated, nor their names, except only the name of the prose-
cutor who makes the charge.

Your report, when signed as above directed, will be sent
to Mr. Stafford, at Bow-street, the editor of the Hue and
Cry, so as to be received by him by nine o'clock in the
evening.

A proper direction will be given that the reports of the
several officers will be kept and printed consecutively in
one sheet of paper, ready for delivery the next morning
to the messenger, to be sent by you to receive the same.
If the 'particulars above-mentioned do not include all that
may be suggested, it may be sufficient for explaining the
object which Lord Lansdowne has in view, which is, that
a daily report of the proceedings of the several offices
should be drawn up as to the most important particulars
of offences and offenders, for the purpose of their detection,
and that thus there may be a full and complete communi-
cation and interchange of useful information between the
several police-offices.
Lord Lansdowne desires that you will give the necessary
orders for carrying into effect the regulations on the lst of
January ; and his Lordship hopes that this plan, when
carried into effect with zeal and activity, will be productive
of public benefits, and contribute to the credit and improve-
ment of the police system. I am, gentlemen, your most
obedient humble servant, S. M. PIIILLI2S.