The Statesman.
London, England, 1820-11-25 00:00:00

POL ICE.

STREET-ROMIERIcs.—This species of offence appears
to increase every day. and has become matter of seri-
ous alarm to the public generally; an alarm which is
heightened by the knowledge that most of the robberies
are accompanied with circumstances of great cruelty
as well as audacity. Within the last few days numerous
complaints have been tnsile at the Police-Office, Bone
street. by persons who have been robbed of watches
and other property in the public streets, and in open
day. Yesterday no less than ten or twelve gentlemen
longed emnplaints of a similar kind. One of them, a
respectable attorney. was intuited in the Strand, and;
robbed of his watch by a gang of 5 or 6 fellows, who
absolutely laughed in his face. Ile had PIK in his
breeches pocket at the time, and seeing him place his
hand anxiously there, the ruffians made a violent effort '
to get at the pocket, hut failed. During the time that
the processions with Addresses to her Majesty were pass-
ing through the Strand, /ex. towards Hammersmith,
gangs of thieves, from 12 to 30 or -10 in number, were
seen rushing about amongst the crowd, robbing every
passenger who had any thing to lose, and bidding de-
fiance to the Police. In some instances they treated their
victims with cruel anti unnecessary violence.
Two or three days ago, an Array gentleman called
at Bow-street Office, with Townshentl the officer, and
informed the Magistrate (Mr. Minshull), that (as he was
passing through the Strand a day or two before, about
dusk, he received a blow front an unseen hand which
brought hint to the ground, and stunned him. The blow
was indicted with a heavy blunt instrument. ll'hen he
recovered, be found that he heel been plundered of his
watch and pocket-hook. A short distance from the spot
j where he fell, he found a kind of bludgeon, one end of
which was cased with iron, and from its appearance, he
hall no donbt that this was the instrument with which
he was assaulted.
• The bludgeon was etewn to the Magistrate, and was
certainly a most formidable weapon.
Deems ATTACK NT A NCNIEROUS GANO Or Thieves.
—Rescue or FOUR NOTORIOUS llocseueeitteus.--Four
reputed thieves, of the names of Jones, Dann, hurray,
and Battler, were fully committed from Marlborough-
street for trial, for robbing the house of Mrs. %Watkins,
j in May Nair, and another man (Willie's' Paddock) was
handcuffed with them and fastened to the chain, to be
taken to New gate. PaddoA's offence was simple lar-
jceny. They left Marlborough-street Police Office about
dusk, under escort of Marsden, the gaoler, who took
them his usual way for privacy, along Great Russell-
Jetreet. In crossing Tottenham-court-road, a woman of
the town got into conversation with them; in passing
along Great Russell-street. some whistling was heard,
and one of the burghers called out " Now for a resene."
Immediately after, between 20 and 30 ruffians 'willed
forth from George-street, St. Giles's, and the opposite
side, and knocked Marsden down by a blow no the hack
`with a bludgeon; they contiometi beating him until be
teas senseless, when on the ground. The prisoners es-
caped. Marsden was taken into an apothecary's shop,
and his head, which was dreadfully cut iu (oar different