THE METROPOLITAN POLICE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5209, 1 December 1877, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE METROPOLITAN POLICE.

(Krom iho Morning Foct.) The report upon the state of the Metropolitan police force, which Colonel Heudev-son makes annually to the Horae Secretary, would at first sight appear not to be a document ot an interesting character. This impression, however, will be removed even by a cursory glance at the contents of this years report. No doubt the same points are touched upon year after year, but this of itself is a merit, inasmuch as it enables the reader to compare one year with another, and thus to test the growth or decrease of evils which have been pointed out in former *£g t or k a > as ''* e “ as progressive efficiency.offlie police force, ihe first thing that strikes one in the present report is the very small increase which has been made to the numerical strength of the force, amounting only to three sergeants and thirty-eight constables. The total strength of the force in 1876, including the dockyard divisions, was 10,263. But a very considerable deduction must bo made from this total before we can estimate with how small a body of men the protection of the general public of London is, upon the whole, secured. The force available for what may be called ordinary police duty was last year only 21 superintendents, 221 inspectors, 907 sergeants, and 7559 constables. That peace and order and personal safety should be secured by so small a force to a population not very far short of four millions is creditable both to the population and to the police. But, giving all credit to the ordinary inclinations of the inhabitants of Loudon, there are elements of mischief at work sufficiently numerous and potent to make the Metropolis a perilous place of abode il it were not for the admirable way in which the police force is handled, and'in which the-constables themselves discharge duties which often require great tact and judgment, presence of mind, aud o-ood temper. Every year the Metropolis is growing. New houses are built, new streets require protection ; but the addition to the police force is little more than nominal. Colonel Henderson reports that last year 226 new streets and 3 new squares were opened and handed over to the police, extending over something more than 36 miles. Nearly 13,000 new houses were built, and upwards of -1000 were in course of erection. This gives one an idea of the rapidity with which London is extending in every direction. Since 1850 1247 miles of new streets have been opened, and, according to Colonel Henderson, “ there seems ao tendency to decrease in the annual rate of progression.” Turnin o, to the criminal statistics of Colonel Henderson’s report, we find in them no reason for regret, even though there is not much ground for congratulation as far as any marked improvement is needed to justify it. There Was an increase of between three and forr thousand arre-ts over the preceding year, mainly due to cases of drunkenness and disoi tier, and of between eight and nine thousand over the year 1874. It must not, however, be concluded from this that intemperance is on the increase. The average of the last six years has been much in excess of that of the preceding ten, but this has been owing to the greater activity of the police under the legislation of recent years. A more regretable part of Colonel Henderson’s report is that which refers to offences against property, which show an increase of 1623 over 1875. This, however, must be taken with the qualification that the latter year was exceptionally free from crime. From criminals to vagrants the transition is natural, Four thousand one hundred and fifty-two persons were apprehended under the "Vagrant and Poor-law Acts, of whom two thousand two hundred and thirty-six were beggars, and one thousand and three were charged with disorderly conduct in workhouses and damaging workhouse clothing. The number of beggars appears to have been about the average of the last four years, but “ that average,” writes Colonel Henderson, “is far below the average of preceding years, and no doubt the number of beggars in the streets has been diminished considerably during the last few years.” Before quitting the criminal and quasi-criminal sections of Colonel Henderson s report, it is necessary to refer to the paragraph in which he speaks of offences committed against the police as such. The police have, as Colonel Henderson observes, many natural enemies. There is a chronic tendency amongst a certain class of persons to commit assaults upon them, which has latterly been upon the increase. Close upon three thousand policeofficers were assaulted last year, runny of the assaults being of a serious character. As far os possible trivial assaults are disregarded, “ but it seems to be a question whether, looking to the frequency of assaults on the police, they should not be more seriously dealt with than as common assaults, especially when they are committed by several persons, as is frequently the case, and where the violence is followed by serious results.” The Metropolis has perils of its own, and a history of its own, the; counterparts of which are only, in a very limited scale, to be found in the greatest of our provincial towns. During the last ten years 1135 persons have been killed, and 21,827 maimed in the streets of London by vehicles of one kind or another, but for the most part by light carts and cabs. The number killed last year was 130, while 2740 were maimed. People who are apt to suppose that the police have an easy time of it, that they are well paid and clothed, and have nothing to do but to lounge up and down their beats, should take note of some of the duties that fall to the police force, and which are seldom taken into calculation by their critics. Last year a total number of 12,913 constables was employed in attending fires. Again, close upon 19,000 stray dogs were provided for by the police either taking them to the Dogs’ Home or otherwise. But what would be startling if it were not the repetition of a yearly occurrence, is the fact that no less than 11,805 persons were reported to the police as lost or missing during last year, of whom 8531 were children under ten years of age, and 3274 adults. Upwards of 5000 children and nearly 800 adults were found by the police and returned to their friends. The remainder are accounted for either as having been found by their friends or having committed suicide, or as still missing Colonel Henderson testifies that the conduct of the men last year was “exceedingly good.” Those who imagine that the faults of the police are overlooked by the commissioners and superintendents, or that attempts are made to conceal them, form a very mistaken idea. There are rewards for those who do well, and punishment for those who abuse their powers or neglect their duties. What is perhaps not less satisfactory is the popularity of the force, shown in the ease with which vacancies caused by death or otherwise are filled up. On the whole, Colonel Henderson’s report is eminently satisfactory.