Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-02
POOR POLICING IN LONDON.
An Unofficial Investigation Makes an
Uncomplimentary Showing.

An Unofficial Investigation Makes an
Uncomplimentary Showing.
From the Pail Mall Gazette
There are few more melancholy illustrations
of the inability Of the authorities to cope with
the forces of disorder in London than the ex-
istence in various quarters Of the metropolis
OF more or less organized gangs of young
rufdans. The hoodlum and the larrikin of
civilization Is the standing difficulty of our
| sentimental age. A generation is growing up
around us which has never been disciplined,
either at home or at school Spare the rod
and spoil the child is a maxim relocated to the
dark ages and the wealthy classes Our young
aristocrats are birched as Of old, but the per-
sons OF the children of King Demos are now
sacrosanct. So they grow up like wild asses
colts, and are the despair of the custodians Of
law and order. Such, at least is the explana-
lon OF one set Of sociOlogists. But we have
nothing to do with causes. What we are con-
cerned with are the facts.
THE BANDIT GANGS OF LONDON.
Within the past year there have, from time
to time, been brought before the knowledge Of
the public the existence of gangs, always ruff
fianly, and sometimes predatory, which are
composed con OF young fellows who are distinctly
not OF the domesticated variety of the genus
homo. Here are the names Of few of these
gangs and their habitats:
Inc Marylebone gang, Lisson grove.
The Fitzroy Place gang, Regents Park.
The Monkey Parade gang, Whitechapel.
The Black gang, Union street, Borough.
The New-cut gang, the New-cut, Lambeth.
The Greengate gang, City road.
The prince Arthur" gang, Duke street,
Blackfriars.
The Gang of Roughs," Norwood.
The Jovial Thirty-two, Upper Holloway.
These are few Of the names taken from the
police-court records. Some Of them may have
now ceased to exist. Others are still in full
activity. They are of very low type of organi-
or definite objects. 1t is not of yesterday, this
plague. Mr.. Justice Hawkins has denounced
1t in the strongest terms from the Judgment
seat at the Old Bailey. On one occasion, while
sentencing eleven prisoners in one batch he
said that they, with others, had associated
together in gangs for the purpose of robbing,
assaulting and beating those whom they de-
sired to plumber. No part of the metropolis
has been free from this plague. In White
chapel, in Islington, and in Covent Garden it
self, find the same offense committed at all
hours of the day. 1t is absolutely necessary"
said the judge, 'for the public safety that this
sort OF robbery with violence should be imme-
diately and sternly repressed," and he showed
his appreciation of that fact by sentencing the
prisoners to long terms Of penal servitude.
For time the epidemic was abated. The
skeleton army was put down, and little was
heard of the gangs for a year or two. The
plague has, however, revived again, and the
recent trials at the Old Bailey of the young
rufians concerned in the Regents Park MUIR
der showed that the fighting gang was as
powerful and as troublesome as ever. They
sticks, they fight, and when they get a chance
most of them steal