New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-16
LONDON POLICE STATISTICS.
KEEPING THE PEACE IN THE WORLDS
GREATEST CITY.


London, Aug. Am impressive view OF the mag
nude Of the British metropolis IS presented in the
annual report OF tho Commissioner of Police, which has
lust been published covering the operations Of that
Department for the year 1890. The authorized
strength of the force was follows 81 superm
tendents Sjs inspectors. 1874 sergeans and 12,Sfl
constabcs, total 1894; being an increase OF one
superintendent, II inspectors, 50 sergeants and 44o
constables since 1882 OF these superintendent,
81 Inspectors 1877 serCcans and 1423 cOnstabes were
employed on special duties FOX various Government de
partments including special protection posts at public
Offices and buildings. dOckyards and military stations
and by public companies and private individuals.
The number OF police available for service in the
metropolis exclusive of those specially employed and
whose services paid for, was ~ superintendent
sO4 inspectors 1897 sergeants and 11432 constables.
total 1900 An average OF onc-fourteenth of the
force except special duties Sick ETC. s62) is daily
on leave in accordance with the regulation granting
one days leave OF absence 80 each man every fortnight
Casualties caused by men sick and detached SICK
leave averaged $40 daily. The Metropolitan Police
District extends over q radius Of fifteen miles from
Charing Cross exclusive OF the city Of London, and
embraces an area OF 055.31 square miles, extending
from Colney Heath. Hertfordshire, the north, 10
Mogadore. TOdworth Heath, IN the south. and from
Lar, Hail. Essex in the east To stalnes Moor Middle
sex, in the west. The total amount Of police rate
levied on the parishes for the year ended March 81.
1891, produced S3,603,o15, and the local taxation
account contributed $2,9o3,4Oo to the police fund
during the year.
The criminal returns for 1900 disclose most salts
factory record for the year. The felonies relating
TO property numbered 17,401 2,053 fewer than In
1880 though the figures for 1889 were a marked
improvement on those for the preceding year. There
were fewer offences OF this kind committed IN the
metropolis during 1890 than in any year since 1875.
But In 1875 the feones of this class WERE relatively
IN Al d..
whereas last year the proportion per thousand was
only 3002, less than half the number considered
normal twenty years ago. IL thus appears that there
was greater security for persons and property the
metropolis during 1890 than in any previous year in
cluded In the statistical returns. II should be remem-
bered that In relation TO police work the difficulties OF
dealing with crime each decade adds q million to
the population of the metropolis are augmented in
ratio far greater than that Of the arithmetlcaI In
crease. The facilities for the commission of crime,
and the chances OF immunity relied by professional
criminals are very much greater In a population Dor
dering 100000 than they I'm 1873. when the
population Of London was only about 1000 200. In
Zen OF the sixteen murder recorded In which ap
prehcnsiOns were effected By the Metropolitan Police,
convictions we're Obtained against the perpetrators
| the crimes. In seven OF these the prisoners were
sentenced to DEATH and In the other three the accused
were found 70 be insane, and were ordered 10 be
confined during Her Majesty's pleasure six murder
the author of the crime was removed TO a lunatic
asylum without being brought TO trl0l. In another
Inc murderer committed suicide IN third the
accused Was acquitted Of the capital charge on tho
medical evidence adduced to the cause Of death.
In the Chiswck case OF January IL was ultimately
| established that the death wholly uncOnnceted
! viii homcldal violence. And In the case OF the
Italian Pompeo, who was murdered by another Italian
| on February ~, the accused escaped to ltay, and
the evidence OF his guilt was RENTED to the Italian
crime unaccounted for, therefore, Is hat OF The girl
Amelia Jefs, who was murdered ut West Ham on
January 81 and there tho evidence against the author
| OF the crime deemed insufficient 20 justify his
arrest. In respect 70 this case Is only right 70 AID
| pelaons