Star.
London, England, 1828-09-11 00:00:00

THE POLICE OF THE METROPOLIS., •

(Comdaded from the STAIL of Tuesday.)

Report of the Wm Committee appointed to ingeire lota The
Came of the Increase in the Number of Commitments and Con-
Vivian in London and Middlesex,. Ad into the *Ate of the
Police of the Metropolis. and of the di+tricts adjohtini thereto.
In 1818, a,Committre appointed to inquite into the
state of the Police of the Metropolis. made the follow-
ing of setwitioas on the Report of its predecssna is

Igl2
" Parma Orrteams,—Your Committee refer.generstly
Aiport which was made on this subject in the year !alt. by a Cook
ntitteewf the House. entitled.. A lteporeon die Nightly Vide!
mad 'pollee of the Metropolis.' "
The Report enters fully.into details of this branch of
F Polies, mid. sets Writ the kw, and the practice under
1 the law, rtthe perishes of the Metropolis. -Nntwith-
standing various changes Pere tugges,ed by the Corn
nutter, none hive been erected. The system, such as
it was, still remaina., Though your.Crimmittee may not
concur in aU the projects which ate there set.forth, yin
it appeals to them to be most expe.ient to:mate.some
immediate alteration in the general Mode of condo..
iog thlt.inferior-deptioneut of the .Police.:
• There.asems to.he waiting altogetherin the western Asia
of the Metropolis, an unity of proceeding. or that liepeadenee of
pins no each other, without which no writ constituted and ellicient
system of Police tan be ek.pected.". • •
- • The To. ice Committee d 18422, though riot dispitied
'ti recommend a fundamental change in the systeni4m
der which the police of the whole metropolis is admi-
nistered, and expressing an opinion -that the obstruction
to public justice and
.the maintenance of the peace
exists practically in a much less
.degree than might
have been apprehended, admitethat ffte System is open,
to one u iv ions objection—that the parts of which it is
eompine4 ate disunited, and under the controul of dif-
fereot and unci-ntiectei authorities: it states that a

limited caldron' given t s their-lice Magistrates over
the nightly watch bad had very salutary effects; and:
strongly recommends more fiequ'ent'communicatioos
between the police OrFitet s and tbe•trestrita Of the
parishes within their respective district% girths subject
of the nightly watch geirerally.• ''
•
Your Commit:re will now proceed to-subvnit the
eon; ider.ition of the House some portions of t .e•alti•
deuce which has been adduced before them isle:the
Present state f the Metropolis and its vicinity, in re-
gaidto the Locil Police. '• • •• ' • •
Ain inhabitant of one of the parishes in the Centre of
the Metrotoils, heir* himself a parkh•constable.;gives
the•foHowing evidence as to the stale of tbierehth in
his ,
•• parish—
• What state is the watch in..inihat pariah ?1 consi-'
der the watch to be in a very defective st stc tans Earl
from entertaining any natiunil antipatbie.; but 1 cuasi.
der. it improper for the majority of the watch to be
Irish, because I have known instances wherethere have;
been squabbles. and the.priticipalsiti theequatslalep hovel
Use Irish, who have been permitted t 6 86 about their
Wiliness, Old no cognizance taken of it. -
What is the totainumber cf the watch?—l do not
know.
What is the regulation as to age?-4 do not think
them is apispecitie regulation; we. Ape, one man bee
twenl sixty anctsevertty years of age.. and deaf.
Who appoints the watch ?—They ate 'appointed by
the Watch Board. . •

Are there many applications fa appoint men?.?—
Many application', • •
Do they generally take persons that reside in the
parish ?—I think pot. lt has bean my practice every!
night, when I have been constable, except when 1 was
ill, to go and superintend the watch till.slier midnigl t.
Have they viatchb.,res in your pattsh
How often go the watch go their‘3oiiiitis?r4Every
half hour.

Arc the watchmen relieved?—N'. • • :
Where do,they.pass the night between the periods of
their goiortbeiz rounds?—Partly on the steps of she
inhabitants houses, and under the piano,' and robnd
the coffee stands, which ate a very great nuisance:they
are there nearly-all night in conversation with the pros-
titutes, and other bad characters, except when disturbed
by the superior officers of the parish. •
• The evidence of 111r.Gregory, in inhabitant or Spital-
fields, while it is satisfactory as to the present state of
that district, compared with its recent state, andis very
creditable to his own exertions, shows how impeefectis
the security which the present system' affords ‘for the
regulation 'of the local police, and what are 'the comae
quences of neglect. He states, that he has himself now
the superintendence of the watch ; that the number
watchmen i, 21 ; that they had the same number•beti
lore; but now they.ase better looked alter, because the
late treasurer was a very old gentlemen, and he was.
and did not seem to manage the watch at all. -
The folloaiog answers, given by Mr. GregOry, are
important, as, tending to show the lamentable state to;
which an important district of the metropolis may-be
reduced by neglect, 4nd the advantage (the IhcEd ad-
vantage at least) of esseitions made be the improvement
if the Polies.
Have your occupation and residence enabled you to
make any particular observations as to the state of the
lower population in Sp,talfierds?—lt has; some years
agn the stats ditto parish was so bat!, that there were
120 of the inhabitants sworn in as special constables,
put under my direction; there were such depredations
people could not gO along the streets, and she police of
the district were not sufficient for the protection of the
district ; I consulted with Mr. Beville, the Magistrate at
Worship-sweet, and we used to patrol the streets from
dusk until the witch was set.-
, What is the comparative state of the district-of Spi-
talfields now, with reference to what it was at chat
time?—lt is much better now, because we were the
means of bringing to justice a great number of very
daring offenders' some were executed, several were
transported s one of our special constables, of the name
of Reynolds, a very efficient man, resided at the corner
f Roper-street, that is the next street to Wentworth-
sti eet, ehich used to be the worst place its tbe InttTe-
polls, and from his axe and perseverance, and my
own and many others, we certainly got rid of, I suppose,
from twenty to forty, some of whom were Aranspeeted,
and some were banged.
HAS the consequence of that been the deCreme of
'crime consider that the crimes committed ife
tieWs blue titer:eased, but there are several old thieves
who are Awn' Wentworth-street now, that kive heel'
there for a great number of year,, and those fellows are
suffered to remain; I do nit know wby they are not
nvoeght Xn justice. I bay, never, soeself, had an op-
-1 Pafttlnjt7 Soi eletectipg them in nay thing; one WM a

.
very 01.1 offender, that I 'taw tob a Gentleman .i
Bi6hopsgate street, anti I anprrhentled him, not ot.thai
time, bec.use these was a daring gang. with him; bet I
knew ,his face, and he was apprehended and executed
rf,r highway robbery.
.. 1: it yin► apprehention that those had characters who
reside in Spiitltieldvolpnot commit depiedatlons. in
Spitalfields on account of the activity of the police in
dive diAiict. but that they commit depredatioas in
Qth:r lmit, of the metropolis?...-Yes.
. The evidence as to the state of the police in pariah.:
not f.rming a part of the metropolis, bat immediately
in its vicinity, and totally differing as t 9 their Circum•
stances, the character of their population, snit the Ere.
quency of crime. fom ordinary country Polishes i 6
oectillarly eem. wing fif consideration. In the parish of
EdgeWase, it is slated that there are no police mer, no
regular pa.r..l ; use watchmon employed awing
winter, and they
.r.re paid by subscription. Tim nu-u-
-ber of watchmen is three. Very few of the
contribute. The watchmen were appointed in come
quence of some ire' y daring burglalie: in the centre of
the town of Edgware.
Tnewiliess atm was examined Thinks that the whole
of the hinshestcr Gore .irknsch spiv a par," ab to po-
llee, with shelties') of Edgewise.
A witiiebs from Atop gave evidence to the following
effect s
Thai theipatish. itieiwitood rieder 'now.
Tnatiii cuatecieenekornightlY,depred.tions. the in;
hobitants,soine tiwielitlcedetetw,lino to make an rffec-
teal watch ifth'ey COP stfiskthe.princip4 inhabitantsopera to a voluntary tax, t pay, the. expenses, and
appointed a Committee in go out alternately, at date-
rent tiines.iii .tbe night, to see that 'the watchmen did
their duty.
Since theestablishment of the,watch, crime has won-
. deifugy 'decreased • mete has beta no serious burglary

since.
Another witness Irons the same.place states, that the
watch costs alma one hundred a year.; that there has
been nn depredat.on since its establishment ; that the
fund for its.support has fallen off, and they ale vow
!educing the number or watchmen. He a3cts, that the
respectable people who voluntarily go out to assist the,
police find it- an inconvenient operation. They com-
plain of getting cold ; some have had severe sore
throats, and, they have declined going out in a great,
measure.

This witness-.states, that in the two adjoining pa-
rishes, where there is not so efiCient a watch as there is,
in Acton, crime is increasing dreadfully. There is
scarcely 'night without something mewling; the most
Audacious herglaties,and robbetie. are committed.
A witness resident in Chelsea gave evidence, of which
the following is an extract t
Do you bee at Chelsea ?—Upon the south side of
IKensington.Palace„ near Brampton.
You have stn estate,in.Cheisee parish 7—The Fulhmn-
Toad separates the two parishes.
.Could you give the Committee any information tutu
%what is the state of the parish with reference to the'se-
corky of property ; is there much depredation com-
-matted T--The pariah has been exposed to a great many
petty robberies, such as catrying away linen, gardeners
tools, and breaking into houses; there was a house in
Brampton broken into about, a Cot might ago, and every
pall= is upon their guard as well as they can be‘
Do they take away lead?—Yes, where they have an
opportunity; in empty houses they carry away the cop-
pers, and every thing that is moveable.
What you call.fratures ?—Yes.
Hare 'you' no police in your parish that would be suf-
ficient to prevent that sort of depredation?—%Ve bare
in the adjoining districts; I find they bare watchmen,
who collect raoney,,from the inhabitants; some pay 6d.
some Is. and so forth; these people, after'they have
been in two or three years, they collect probably Bs. 9s.
or 10s. a week, and they cannot make a living out of,
it. The inhabitants find that they get very little service
from them, and tbey do not pursue the course thee
'Wight to do to discharge them. In the district where I
live we collect our nsimey quarterly, in advance; we
have appointed a Committee to manage the watch fund
so collected,and the watchmen ateenperinteded.by that
Committee. •

Do you know anything of the state of the adjoining
parishes; it they are in a good state or not ?—Why,
the adjoining parish if Chelsea is very much exposed;
and, in fact, there is a t lace which may be known to
the Committee, where Mr. Owen's Chapel wa', (he was
Secretary to the Bible Society), going down to Batter•
sea Bridge, by Little Chelsea, a place called Park-place;
last winter there u ere five or six houses robbed ; thorn
was one of these old men who collected the wages
weekly ; the old man told me his wages had once bees
u high as 2Si. a week, and now he collects 7s. but be
hat not bread, and cants. t afford• to do his duty. The
people have withdrawn their subscriptions in come-
qutnce of the number of robberies—he is unfit for the
duty.
That is the general state of the parishes around that
part ?—Yet. •

Mr. Thomas Julian, Clerk to the Magistrates of the
Kensington Division, is asked,
What is the state of the town of Brentlord as to de-
predations?—Very bad ; it is consign um to the rivet ;
welave a deal of :leer plunder, and when they come
up the river, they rob the town;:and go aw ty in boats.
1s that frequent?—Very.frequent, no doubt ; at these
Petty Session., which are held on the. Ist of October,
there had been committed f.r trial 21 people prisoners
for felony, 18 have been convicted, three acquitted, and
now three. are in Newgate for tu ial; they vine com-
mitted last Monday.
In the Kensington District ?—in the Kensington Di-
visionohat comprises eight parishes. •
What do yon think of the polieein that district gene-
rally; .are they an efficient body in the parish, or other.
wise ?—.We.batre. no regular police; some of the con-
stables ere very active; some are like constables; after
they:have been in office two or three years they gst sad
drunken-tellows, and do not do their duty at all.
Are they T—Only what the law allows thee,
as fees. .
How come they to serve?—They make friends with
these parishioners, and, when the Court feet comes,
they get re-appointed by the Stewaid of the Manor.
What advattage do they get ?—They make out .a
long bid. 1 have been °Wird to put a stop to it in the
parish where I am Vestry Clerk, the constables bills
come so heavy.
Do any of them serve as substitutes for others
Very lreq'tently.

S'

• ,4.0.,••••

Whit do they tecenre?-.Born'eltinies toqr: or thiee, ur
foor powids; at the last Court Lere. oit'Es.tee Mon.
day, I p evaded an the Steward of the' Mishorlsot to
appoint so 'assay consteblei as fete, •is • tier piirless, es
.her had done before.
Are headbornagtis inhabitants who env* fors year ?
hey only serve fir a year.•
I. it not grwtilly ctineeilrectl to be a grievance
the inhabitants who are tailed Oi et to servella Wm*
Sf beadborntrxh and cobstirille, to !lave their time oca
envied by th se daties?—No; it used to be thought •
very g• layout office; butit is now canvassed for, very
fen. 03 arceint cif the emoluments they Siete from it..
HoW many headborodghs have you' get ?—Toren
keadborouths•and there conitables ;I made a retire of
the number as I was retina&
That pnlicr y 'nitre for these Sr ten miles
eircomfetenceN—Thas fa all We have.
What d.s yrii think Would be the eject of an unit ,rns
system of p trice around th/e w ole of the
asetropoli.?:—Very good, I ahriuld seippnbe.
• Plains+ threw under •tote:crintit;uling power of the
tioniernmentc with a ion 4r. ha' the pail calif Govern•
twat to appoint'affitters, railing at! expe.let .thfirestab
,blishment a. pits Irtiosillte:parishel, under the'ser
4iosit:an that theettpenitesWould notte'materially lighter
than at
.present believe the•estimate I sent in for
;he police, in the whole of theibundieds Mond the use.
tttiptli , doe: not amiluitt to More the* 4AOOI. a 'year'
Do you think there *Auld be flit jeatoesy on the pert
of the pato:hi..! authorities' it duetting *hit thit pa•
tronage?—Certainty not:1 that'll think they would
wish it to' go out of their handa.'becaese there' is gene.
rally such d. contention- shoat 'it ; I 'Mink it is detiivablei
Chaste been'vestry clerk in the oafish. fir .the laic St
years ; of late the contention about the appointment of
these officers has become tnpleasant.
• Mr. Matthew was examined 'ar to the state of the
parish of Tottenhaas. The following questions were
put to him among othWs, and the following answoll
giten 1—
• What is the state of your neighbourhood as torsion.;
is there ouch depredation committed ?—There have
been depredations !resiliently, and particularly in the
last month Sr sis week,: I would be* leave tootoirve,
that I only received the order cf the Comisittetle,ter.
day, and I have not had sufficient tinted) tarn the ane-
w over in my mind; perhaps if I had a day at two I
might digest my views.,
Yon have no watchmen at nightu ?—There are yri•
~mate watchmen, but .4 have no tegular watchmen,
except shin are appointed by thetrustees of the Laid;
but they leave their dot) at tnelve which we
consider no protection at all against houseboeaking,
though it may to persons who are travelling .on. the
Kings highway, but it is no protection at all to the in.
habitants, generally speaking, mit to those travelling
°tithe road, for we are our own gualliitos usuateselre
or one oarlock, when 'we retire u rest.
Do yon think it would be acceptable to your parish,
if there were to be the Soliforshity We police esteisiish.
meat in Tour parish and the neighbouring patiyhes, by
police officers being appointed and Najd by 'Govern.
swot, in lieu of poor watch and parochial police ?—I
should think so.

Would there be any objection in the parish to rake a
tate to enable Government to pay the expenses?—Why,
uofortunately, in our parish they are very tenacious of
these matters, and l cannot speak exactly as to bow
that might be received at all ; we have a great many
Quakers to our parish, and they will not go tore rots•
cation if they can help it ; time *revery notorions pet.
sons in-our village, who, when taken up, u'e might be
able to deal with; but the Qtakers 'withhold tlietis
of prosecution as fa ia'they cad.
What has been the nature of the depredations that
have increased in your parish ?--Housebreaking ; we
have had a great number of burglaries; I have taken
the liberty to, sketch out a list. (The sitoce hands
in a piper.) •
These have been sixteen accomplished and three al-
.
tempts ?—Yes. I
Within what time ?—Withle less than six weeks.
Have you any idea whether these were aininiided
shieves•from Lohdoa, or persons who'siere resident in
the Place?-1 have no doubt from Londint ;: hive
two in Newgate—one of them 1 Onderitood wds deify
discharged 'from Newgaie a short tittte sirtte. "
'ln the parish of Hackney there ippealq' to base
been established a eel? efficient !Mat police, Weil
adapted to the protection i.f property in that parish.
Under the 'authority of a local' Act.lthere. are 150
watchmen for the whole' parish, who are tieployid
from Michaelmas to Lady-day, inspected and c;etrouled
by superior officers.
A great decrease in depredation is stated. to have
taken place. At present them are no nightly rohb,riess
Burglaries and attune.: at burgia.i s used to.be cons-
mined; but the incressed-sysiem of vigflance•hat put a
stop to them.
Theeffect of this vigilance. as tothe parish of Hack-
ney. Appears to be-Most ry ; but the witness
who describes it, states at the same time, that the thieves
• who, were di teen out of Hackney went immediately into
the adjoining parish.
'flee witness* was tilted the following questions; and
returned the answers that Use annexed to them :
Do y. u think it wo .1d have a beneficial erect if a
system of police a eta adopted in all the 'parisltes round
the Metropolis, • f a uniform name, for officers to be
appointed by Gobernasenteand the expense to be paid
by the parish, out of a. rate to be raised for that ply-
pose ?—1 should think not; I sill say, my opinion is
candidly this, that there is as much vigilance as can
possibly be kept up in our parish. Until the winter. I
mak ray, our parish has been noted as being free from
depredations; it,is considered to be an exceedingly well
watched since tfie Month of Februat y.
With reference to the whvla vicinity of the Metro.
poll's. do you think it would produce a beneficial effect
if there were a uniformity ssystem ? I apprehend it
would be, of course; it is a matter of coarse ; I thick
if all the parishes in London warp under the same sys.
tern as outs (and if they were pntwinto one, it would in
fact be similar to it), it would be p desirable thiag.
Do you think there weak) be much jealoesy felt by
the parishes, as to Government having the app&intassat
of the establishment ?—i.think there would be.
Your Committee will only refer to the evidence of
one other Witness upon this part of the subject.
Mr, Thomas Dinasdale, speaking of Barnet, and the
district adjoining, says, it was once proverbially sae of
the.worset 'places out of London; but since the (tota-
-1 Oilman of a Prosecution Society, thaws is such less

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