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a final opinion, and to report to Parliament what is most expedient, under all circumstances, to be done in this important National Concern.

Happy is it for the country, that a resource exists for the attainment of this object, than which nothing can contribute, in a greater degree, to the prevention of Crimes, and to the general improvement of Civil Society.

CHAP,

CHAP. XIV.

The state of the Police, with regard to the detection of
different classes of offenders, explained.—The ne-
cessity, under the present circumstances, of having
recourse to the known Receivers of stolen Goods, for
the purpose of discovering Offenders, as well as the
property stolen.-The great utility of Officers of
Justice as safeguards of the Community.—The ad-
vantages to be derived from rendering them respect-
able in the opinion of the Public. Their powers,
by the common and statute law, are extensive.-
The great antiquity of the Office of Constable,
exemplified by different Ancient Statutes.-The
authority of Officers and others explained, in ap-
prehending persons accused of felony.-Rewards
granted in certain cases as encouragements to
Officers to be vigilant : :-The statutes quoted,
applicable to such rewards, shewing that they apply
to ten different offences.-The utility of parochial
Constables, under a well-organized Police, explain-
ed.-A fund for this purpose would arise from the
reduction of the expences of the Police by the dimi
of a competent
fund explained.-The deficiency of the present
System exemplified in the effect of the presentments
by Constables to the Grand Inquest.-A new System
proposed. The functions of the different classes of
Officers, explained.-Salaries necessary to all.―The
System of rewards, as now established, shewn to be

nution of Crimes.-The necessit?

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radically

radically deficient; exemplified by the circumstance, that in 1088 prisoners, charged at the Old Bailey in one year, with 36 different offences, only 9 offences entitled the apprehenders to any gratuity:-Improvements suggested for the greater encouragement of Officers of Justice,-1043 Peace Officers in the Metropolis and its vicinity, of whom only 90 are stipendiary Constables.-Little assistance to be expected from Parochial Officers, while there exists no fund for rewarding extraordinary services.-Great advantages likely to result from rewarding all Officers for useful services actually performed.—The utility of extending the same gratuities to Watchmen and Patroles.-Defects and abuses in the System of the Watch explained. The number of Watchmen and Patroles in the Metropolis estimated at 2044 :-A general System of superintendance suggested.-A view of the Magistracy of the Metropolis.-The efficient duty shewn to rest with the City and Police Magistrates.-The inconvenience of the present System.-Concluding Observations.

As it must be admitted, that the evils arising from the multiplied crimes detailed in the preceding Chap ters, render a correct and energetic System of Police with regard to the detection, discovery, and apprehension of offenders, indispensably necessary for the safety and well-being of Society; it follows of course, in the

order

order of this Work, to explain how this branch of the public service is conducted at present, the defects which are apparent,—and the means of improving the System. When robberies or burglaries have been committed in or near the Metropolis, where the property is of considerable value, the usual method at present, is to apply to the City Magistrates, if in London; or otherwise, to the Justices at one of the Public Offices,* and to publish an Advertisement offering a reward on the recovery of the articles stolen, and the conviction of the offenders.†

It is a well-known fact, that many persons who suffer by means of small Robberies, afraid of the trouble and expence of a prosecution, submit to the loss without inquiry; while others from being strangers to the laws, and to the proper mode of application, fall into the same mistake; this, by proving a great encouragement to thieves of every class, is of course an injury to the Public.-In all cases where robberies are committed, the parties sustaining the loss have only to inquire for the nearest Public Office, and apply there, and state the case to the sitting Magistrates, who will point out the proper mode of detection; every assistance through the medium of constables, will then be given for the purpose of recovering the property and apprehending the offenders.-The same assistance will be afforded by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, sitting at the Mansion-house and Guildhall, whenever the. offence is committed within the limits of the City of London.

+ It had been usual for many years previous to 1752, when rubberies were committed, to make a composition of the felony, by advertising a reward to any person who would bring the property stolen, to be paid without asking any questions; but the pernicious consequences of recovering goods in this way from the encouragement such advertisements held out to thieves and robbers of every description, became so glaring and obvious, that an Act passed the 25th year of George II. cap. 36. inflicting a penalty of 50l. on any

person

In many cases of importance, to the reproach of the Police, resource is had to noted and known Receivers of stolen Goods for their assistance in discovering such offenders, and of pointing out the means by which the property may be recovered: this has on many occasions been productive of success to the parties who have been robbed; as well as to the ends of public justice; for however lamentable it is to think that Magistrates are compelled to have recource to such expedients, yet while the present System continues, and while robberies and burglaries are so frequent, without the means of prevention, there is no alternative on many occasions but to employ a thief to catch a thief.

It is indeed so far fortunate, that when the influence of Magistrates is judiciously and zealously employed in this way, it is productive in many instances of considerable success, not only in the recovery of property stolen, but also in the detection and punishment of atrocious offenders.

Wherever activity and zeal are manifested on the part of the Magistrates, the Peace Officers, under their immediate direction, seldom fail to exhibit a similar desire to promote the ends of public justice. And when it is considered that these Officers, while

person (including the printer and publisher) who shall publicly advertise a reward for the return of stolen goods with "no questions asked," without seizing the person producing the goods stolen :-or who shall offer to return to any pawnbroker, or other person, the money lent thereon, or any other reward for the return of the articles stolen. they

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