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Order of the Metropolis are endeavoured | and report in the morning to the office

to be maintained; nor have they any means of obtaining this knowledge, except incidentally, in consequence of persons being brought before them charged with disorderly conduct, or suspected of having committed crimes. They merely constitute the first stage in the administration of Criminal Jurisprudence. It would seem to be extraordinary, that in such a Metropolis as London, there should be no Office in which information is collected, from which intelligence can be obtained as to the state of the Police. The Secretary of State for the Home Department has not, necessarily, any knowledge on this subject, nor has he the means of obtaining any such knowledge, except with reference to crimes committed, or of disturbances which have arisen, or of the number of informations or committals which have taken place during any given period.

Your Committee are therefore persuad- | ed, that the greatest advantages would arise from making use of these Boards of Magistracy, even if it were for no other purpose, than as constituting centres to which information might habitually and constantly be communicated, and daily Reports made from the several Parishes situated within the District, which, for the sake of mutual convenience, is considered as assigned to each of these seven Police Offices.

By means of this system of daily Report, detailing the number and description of the persons employed on the Watch during the preceding night, and the occurrences which may have taken place while they were so on duty, the Magisstrates would be informed as to the manner in which the proposed Act of Parliament had been complied with; and also of the state of order, or disorder, which might prevail in the various Parishes with in their district.

But Your Committee further propose as a means of superintendence and controul, and for the purpose of verifying in some degree the correctness of such Reports, and of ascertaining the fitness as well as good conduct of the persons so employed, that it should be the duty of some of the principal Officers attached to the several Boards of Magistracy (generally known by the name of Police Officers) to go rounds according to some rotation, to be settled during the night, and to visit the several Watch-houses within their district,

to which they are attached, as to the vigilance, good conduct, and fitness of the Constables, Beadles, Patroles, and Watchmen, on duty during the night.

It is also proposed that it should be the duty of the High Constable within the several divisions, occasionally to make similar visitations and Reports, and with this view, it might perhaps be advisable to attach to them a certain number of Assistants, who might be stipendiary officers, to be paid out of the County Rate, or out of some Rate to be levied within each respective division to which they belong.

Nor are these the only means by which it is proposed to furnish the Boards of Magistrates with information respecting the state of the Metropolis as to its Police, and as to the manner in which the parochial Authorities execute the powers entrusted to them; but it is further recommended, that the excellent provisions of the Statute of 14 Geo. 3, c. 90, should be extended.

This is the Statute which Your Committee have before alluded to as applicable to the City and Liberties of Westminster, and certain other Parishes therein named, and which, after having prescribed the general outline of the manner in which Watch is to be kept, directs that the several parochial Authorities shall meet, and make more detailed rules and regulations for the instruction and guidance of the Constables, Beadles, Patroles, and Watchmen.

These detailed Instructions are directed to be written or printed, and delivered to each of such persons respectively.

Your Committee would further propose, that copies of such Rules and Regulations should also be transmitted to the Police Office of the district for their information, that the principal Officers attached to each Office may, in their nightly visitations, be able to judge, whether such Regulations are properly complied with. Copies also of these Regulations should, in some convenient manner, be affixed to the walls in each Watch-house.

By means such as these, the several Boards of Magistrates would acquire such a degree of knowledge, as would enable them to give instructions to their principal Officers for their conduct during their visitations, and would enable them further to exercise, with correctness, the power which should be given them, of

displacing such of the Watchmen or Patroles as appear to be unfit, from bodily infirmity, or from negligence or misconduct.

Having thus collected at each respective Police Office a great mass of information, as to the principles and details by which the good order and security of their district is endeavoured to be maintained, and having thus called into activity the attention of a great number of persons as to matters of preventive Police, and introduced that system of superintendence and controul which may keep alive and continue the activity and vigilance which has thus been excited, it would still appear that the system would be imperfect unless this information, thus collected at each of the seven respective Boards of Magistracy, was accumulated at some one central point, in order that there may be the means of comparing the occurrences and transactions and circumstances of the various parts of the Town, and of forming estimates from the comparison of such facts, of the probable means for the effectual prevention of crimes, or for the detection, pursuit, apprehension, and conviction of criminals.

It should seem, that the Office at Bowstreet, which is wholly unconnected with either of the seven Offices, might form the proper centre, to which this various information should be transmitted.

It would probably be necessary, considering the great pressure of business which devolves on that Office, to attach to it some fit person, whose immediate duty it should be to compare and digest such information, for the purpose of being communicated to that Board of Magistrates, and also to the Secretary of State of the Home Department.

Your Committee have dwelt the longer on this branch of the subject, as they deeply feel the necessity of introducing some system which may give unity and connection to the scattered parts of which the Metropolis consists; and which may, by introducing more means of superintendence, and more means of knowledge, secure a due execution of the Laws, and above all things, may secure that active vigilance and precaution which may lessen the number of Criminals by rendering it difficult to commit crimes.

Although Your Committee consider this part of the subject to be of pre-eminent importance, and as some of the witnesses have said, to be all in all, yet there

are several other measures which may come in aid of this System and may conduce materially to the prevention of crimes.

With this view, Your Committee advert to the Police Office which has been established at Wapping, called The Thames Police Office, for the detection of felonies, &c. committed on the River Thames. The Magistrates of this Office have also a jurisdiction co-extensive with the other Magistrates.

Your Committee are fully convinced of the beneficial effects which have been derived from this Establishment; the increased protection which has been afford-. ed to every species of property on the River, furnishes the strongest proof of its utility. But it is stated to your Committee, that the Funds of this Office are at present inadequate for such an increased Establishment as would be necessary to guard the valuable property on the various wharfs and line of River from London Bridge to Battersea; added to which, at certain periods of the tide, the communication between the parts of the River above and below London Bridge is so interrupted, that during several hours the upper part of the River is consequently open to great depredation. It is therefore recommended that an additional number of boats should be provided, locally applicable to that part of the River above the Bridge.

It has also been represented, that the great and increasing population in the neighbourhood of Greenwich requires another Police Office on that side of the River. Your Committee are informed, that it is now in the contemplation of government to remove the Thames Police Office to the Surrey side for that purpose: this might then be made the Office for an eighth division, comprehending Greenwich, and the other surrounding Parishes.

It has also been represented to Your Committee, that the most notorious Pickpockets and other reputed Thieves are permitted to frequent the public avenues of the Town with impunity, notwithstanding the provisions of 32 Geo. 3, made for the purpose of their apppehension: but the Law, as it now stands, does not authorize the Officer to apprehend them, unless, first, they are seen in some public avenue; secondly, unless they are reputed thieves; and thirdly, unless they are on the spot with the intent to commit a felony: this

:

can be proved only by some overt act | stance sometimes operates against his cre

which they are seen to commit, such as hustling, attempting the pocket, or the like. It has been suggested, that if further powers were given by the legislature, the apprehension of these offenders would be greatly facilitated; but on the other hand, it has not occurred to Your Committee that the powers already given could be enlarged consistently with the general liberty of the subject. Doubts, however, have arisen on the construction of this Act, and the subsequent Act of 51 Geo. 3, whether they extend to the City of London (properly so called), which is stated to Your Committee to be at present the resort of many reputed thieves, from the shelter afforded by the operation of the Act being understood to be so limited; it ❘ seems therefore desirable that it should be amended for this purpose.

It is at present very difficult to prosecute to conviction the Receivers of stolen goods; but Your Committee think that the evil would be much checked, and less facility would be afforded in the removal of stolen property, if the Law with respect to the execution of Search Warrants were amended, and the officer enabled to put them in force as well by night as by day, under the direction of the Magistrates; which your Committee beg leave to suggest to the future consideration of the House.

dit as a witness, and to the defeat of public justice: it seems desirable therefore, that as a public Officer, he should be free from any such imputation, and that his services would be best rewarded by the Magistrates, without depending on the conviction of the Offender.

The great increasing expence attending all criminal prosecutions has been truly stated to be a great source of the impunity, and consequently of the increase of crimes; and it seems highly deserving the attention of the Legislature, whether the expences of prosecution to a limited extent, and in particular cases, which may be specified, might not with propriety be defrayed out of the Parish Rates, or some other general fund. Your Committee think that such a Regulation would materially tend to an increased activity in the prevention and prosecution of offenders, and the great relief of individuals on whom these depredations are committed.

The Petitions from the licenced Publicans, with regard to the stealing of Pewter Pots, having been referred to Your Committee, they have heard evidence on the subject, and find the extent of the evil to be great, notwithstanding the severity of the existing Law; but it does not occur to them, that the interest of the Petitioners can be so well guarded by any new Act of the Legislature, as by Regulations which they are competent to make among themselves. Having thus adverted to these subjects, which are most of them more or less intimately connected with the immediate ob

It has been proved to your Committee, that Hackney Coaches frequently are used for the conveyance of stolen property in the night, and, to avoid detection, the iron plate with the proper number of the coach is frequently taken off, and another substituted during the time they are in wait-ject of their enquiries, Your Committee can

ing; this might in some degree be remedied by directing the proper number to be painted on the pannel of the coach, or by some similar regulation.

not conclude their Report without mentioning the incongruity which subsists in the system for the government of the Metropolis, owing to the Chief and other Magistrates of the City of London, which is situated in the centre of the metropolis, being unable to pursue, by their warrants, beyond the local limits of the City of London, (properly so called) goods which may have been stolen within the limits of the City, and may have been removed beyond these limits. Your Committee conceive, that the warrant of the City Magistrates should have operation, without being

Your Committee folly agree in the recommendation of a former Committee (28 Report Finance) that the Magistrates should have further means of rewarding their different Officers for any extraordinary activity and exertions, in such a manner as the circumstances of the case | might require. If this power was given to a limited extent, it appears to Your Committee, that the Police Officers might be precluded in future from participating | backed by any other Magistrate, within a out being backed by the City Magistrates. Your Committee conceive, that such an intercommunity of jurisdiction could not be considered as affecting any of the valuable exclusive Rights and Privileges of the Ex magno Rot. Stat. in Turr. Lond. m. 42, City, particularly if it was limited to definite cases.

in the rewards given by Act of Parliament. The rewards are usually divided between the prosecutor and all the witnesses; the Police Officer has only a small share of them; but this circum

circle of five miles from the Royal Exchange; and that warrants signed by County Magistrates within five miles of the Royal Exchange, should operate within the local limits of the City, withe

ANNO 13o EDWARDI I. A. D. 1285. Statuta Civitatis London.

Whatever the feelings or opinion of the Legislature might be upon this point, Your Committee have conceived that they could not avoid, after the evidence they had received, directing their attention to the subject.

Your Committee are aware that there are many other points which may be con. sidered as intimately connected with the subject of Police, and to which they might have directed their attention; there are many branches of the Criminal Law, many circumstances connected with the modes in which such Law is administered; the periods for which offenders may be impri. soned, the places in which they may be confined, and the manner in which they may be returned again upon the community after the period of their imprisonment may be elapsed; all which subjects may be considered as intimately connected with Police, as they operate strongly both on the dispositions which induce men to commit crimes, and on those previous arrangements of precaution by which crimes may be prevented.

But as these subjects have been referred to other Committees, Your Committee have conceived it to be their duty to confine their Investigations and their Observations to those leading principles of preventive Superintendence and Controul, and to that system of provident Vigilance, which, by watching assiduously over the interests of the Community, may maintain, without interruption, its good Order and Security.

Since Your Committee framed their Report, two Reports, made in the years 1770 and 1772, on the same Subject, have been referred to; and Your Committee think it their duty to bring them, at this time, to the notice of the House, in the Appendix to this Report.

24 March 1812.

EXTRACTS FROM THE APPENDIX, No. I.

From the folio edition of "The Statutes of the Realm." Printed in 1810 by Command of His Majesty; under the Direction of the Commissioners on the Public Records. Vol. I. page 102.

Statutes for the City of London.

in Cedula. (Translated.)

These be the Articles which our Lord the King doth command to be well kept in his City of London, for the keeping and maintenance of his Peace.

None shall walk the Streets armed, after Curfew, &c.

First, Whereas many evils, as Murders, Robberies and Manslaughters have been committed heretofore in the City by Night and by Day, and People have been beaten and evil intreated, and divers other Mischances have befallen against his Peace; it is enjoined that none be so hardy to be found going or wandering about the Streets of the City, after Curfew tolled at St. Martin's le Grand, with Sword or Buckler, or other Arms for doing mischief, or whereof evil suspicion might arise, nor any in any other manner, unless he be a great man or other lawful Person of good repute, or their certain Messenger, having their Warrants to go from one to another, with Lanthorn in hand. And if any be found going about contrary to the form aforesaid, unless he have cause to come late into the City, he shall be taken by the Keepers of the Peace and be put into the place of confinement appointed for such Offenders; and on the morrow he shall be brought and presented before the Warden, or the Mayor of the City for the time being, and before the Aldermen; and according as they shall find that he hath offended, and as the Custom is, he shall be punished.

Taverns shall not be open after Curfew, &c. And whereas such Offenders as aforesaid going about by Night, do commonly resort and have their Meetings and hold their evil talk in Taverns more than elsewhere, and there do seek for shelter, lying in wait, and watching their time to do mischief; it is enjoined that none do keep a Tavern open for Wine or Ale after the tolling of the aforesaid Curfew; but they shall keep their Tavern shut after that hour, and none therein drinking or resorting; neither shall any man admit others in his House except in common Taverns, for whom he will not be answerable unto the King's Peace. And if any Taverner be found doing the contrary, the first time he shall be put in pledge by his Tavern drinking cup, or by other good pledge ing to what the Trespass requireth. Foreigners shall not be Inn-keepers, unless

[lxxx there found, and be amerced forty-pence; | nishment, at their discretion, and accord. and if he be found a second time offending, he shall be amerced half a mark; and the third time Ten Shillings; and the fourth time he shall pay the whole Penalty double, that is to say, Twenty Shillings: And the fifth time he shall be forejudged of his Trade for ever.

None shall teach fencing with Buckler in the City.

Also, forasmuch as Fools who delight in mischief, do learn to fence with Buckler,

and thereby are the more encouraged to commit their follies; it is provided and

enjoined that none shall hold school for,

nor shall teach the art of fencing with Buckler, within the City, by night or by day; and if any so do, he shall be imprisoned for forty days.

Offenders shall be discharged only by the Mayor, &c.

And whereas Malefactors taken and arrested for Trespasses, as for Batteries, spilling of Blood, and other Offences against the Peace of our Lord the King, and for evil suspicion, are often delivered too easily, by reason whereof, others the less dreading such punishments are encouraged in their follies, and in often transgressing against the Peace, in expectation of such easy deliverance; it is provided that no man so imprisoned shall be delivered by the Sheriff, nor by any Officer under him, without the award of the Warden or Mayor for the time being, and of the Aldermen; unless the Trespass be very small; and then good and solemn mainprize shall be taken, and of Persons justiceable before the Bailiffs of the City, that he do appear before the said Warden or Mayor, and the Aldermen, at a certain day, to receive award and judgment according to his Trespass.

made free of the City.

And whereas divers Persons do resort unto the City, some from Parts beyond the Sea, and others of this Land, and do there seek shelter and refuge, by reason of Banishment out of their own Country, or who for great offence or other misdeed have fled from their own Country; and of these some do become Brokers, Hostelers, and

Innkeepers within the City, for Denizens and Strangers, as freely as though they were good and lawful Men of the Fran

chise of the City; and some nothing do but run up and down through the streets, more by night than by day, and are well attired in cloathing and array, and have their food of delicate meats and costly; neither do they use any craft or merchandize, nor have they Lands or Tenements whereof to live, nor any Friend to find them; and through such Persons many perils do often happen in the City, and many evils, and some of them are found openly offending, as in Robberies, breaking of Houses by night, Murders, and other evil deeds; it is provided that no Man of Foreign Lands, or other Person whatsoever, shall be a resiant Innkeeper or Hosteler in the City, unless he be a Freeman of the City, admitted and at farm before the Warden or Mayor, and the Alderman, as a good Man and true, and that he have good testimony from the Parts whence he cometh, that he hath well and lawfully departed; and that he find safe Pledges justiceable before the Bailiffs of the City, to be answerable to the King's Peace, and to save the Citizens and the City harmless.

Admission of Brokers.

And there shall be no Broker in the Alderınen shall secure Offenders in their | City, except those who are admitted and sworn before the Warden or Mayor, and Aldermen.

respective Wards.,

Moreover it is provided, that every Al

derman in his Wardmote shall make diligent enquiry concerning such Malefactors, resorting to and abiding in his Ward; and if any such be found by presentment or indictment of the good Men of the Ward, or by evil suspicion, they shall straight be attached by their Bodies, and brought before the Warden or Mayor, and the Aldermen, and be arraigned of that whereof they are indicted or presented; and they who cannot acquit themselves, shall be punished by imprisonment, or other Pu.

Punishment of Persons acting as Brokers, Innkeepers, &c. contrary hereto.

And all that are Innkeepers, Hostelers, and Brokers in the City, contrary to the form aforesaid, from one month after the day when these Articles shall be read and published in the City, shall forego the same, and withdraw themselves that they do so no more; and if any be found offending herein after the said month, or any other of whom there is evil suspicion for his ill behaviour, as for bad Company or

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