The first application of the telegraph to police purposes took place in
1844, on the Great Western Railway, and, as it was the first intimation
thieves got of the electric constable being on duty, it is full of
interest. The following extracts are from the telegraph book kept at the
Paddington Station:—
“Eton Montem Day, August 28, 1844.—The Commissioners of Police having
issued orders that several officers of the detective force shall be
stationed at Paddington to watch the movements of suspicious persons,
going by the down train, and give notice by the electric telegraph to the
Slough station of the number of such suspected persons, and dress, their
names (if known), also the carriages in which they are.”
Now come the messages following one after the other, and influencing the
fate of the marked individuals with all the celerity, certainty, and
calmness of the Nemesis of the Greek drama:—
“Paddington, 10.20 a.m.—Mail train just started. It contains three
thieves, named Sparrow, Burrell, and Spurgeon, in the first compartment
of the fourth first-class carriage.”
“Slough, 10.50 a.m.—Mail train arrived. _The officers have cautioned the
three thieves_.”
“Paddington, 10.50 a.m.—Special train just left. It contained two
thieves; one named Oliver Martin, who is dressed in black, _crape on his
hat_; the other named Fiddler Dick, in black trousers and light blouse.
Both in the third compartment of the first second-class carriage.”
“Slough, 11.16 a.m.—Special train arrived. Officers have taken the two
thieves into custody, a lady having lost her bag, containing a purse with
two sovereigns and some silver in it; one of the sovereigns was sworn to
by the lady as having been her property. It was found in Fiddler Dick’s
watch fob.”
It appears that, on the arrival of the train, a policeman opened the door
of the “third compartment of the first second-class carriage,” and asked
the passengers if they had missed anything? A search in pockets and bags
accordingly ensued, until one lady called out that her purse was gone.
“Fiddler Dick, you are wanted,” was the immediate demand of the police
officer, beckoning to the culprit, who came out of the carriage
thunder-struck at the discovery, and gave himself up, together with the
booty, with the air of a completely beaten man. The effect of the
capture so cleverly brought about is thus spoken of in the telegraph
book:—
“Slough, 11.51 a.m.—Several of the suspected persons who came by the
various down-trains are lurking about Slough, uttering bitter invectives
against the telegraph. Not one of those cautioned has ventured to
proceed to the Montem.”