In the case of such a curiosity in official journalism as the _Police
Gazette_, formerly known as the _Hue and Cry_, the public will be
interested to learn a little more than the newspapers have briefly
announced about the changes made in it by government authority. The
paper itself, which was commenced shortly after the formation of the
metropolitan police force in 1828, is not allowed to circulate beyond
constabulary circles; but its efficiency of management unquestionably
concerns the general community. Previous to the year 1828, the
metropolis, like other centres of population, was under the care of the
old parochial Watch, who, as corrupt as they were feeble, became an
absolute street nuisance. Far from being a terror to evil-doers, their
notorious negligence and inefficiency enabled the midnight burglar
or daring footpad to pursue his criminal avocation with comparative
impunity. Peel’s Act introduced a greatly improved _régime_; and the
new police, nicknamed after their originator, were for a long time
popularly known as ‘Peelers.’ The newly established force required new
methods of working, and one of these was the starting of an official
newspaper which, though it is perhaps the only one the public never
see, has nevertheless often done them good service, and is now to be
made of still more value.
It is probably known to few that there exists in connection with the
Detective department at Scotland Yard a regular printing establishment,
from which sheets are issued four times a day containing information
as to persons ‘wanted,’ current offences, property stolen, lost,
or found. A daily list of property stolen is also printed, and
distributed to all licensed pawnbrokers. Particulars received from
country constabulary forces are inserted in these publications, which
are carefully read at parades and studied by the detectives. This,
however, only applies to the metropolis; and a strong desire has long
prevailed at headquarters to make that larger medium of publicity, the
_Police Gazette_, more useful as a means of intercommunication between
the whole of the two hundred and ninety police forces of the kingdom.
Until the beginning of the present year, that wretched print had shown
scarcely any progress or improvement since it was commenced. Its
direction has hitherto been nominally in the hands of the chief clerk
at Bow Street police court. In the past, much of its space has been
wasted by the frequent repetition of details as to trifling cases; and
no systematic arrangements were made for the widespread circulation of
the paper among those for whom it is specially intended. The editorship
has now been committed to Mr Howard Vincent, director of criminal
investigations, who will be assisted by Chief-inspector Cutbush of the
executive department at Scotland Yard. It is to the initiation of Mr
Vincent that the improvements now made are chiefly due; and it may be
remembered that in his presidential address to the Repression of Crime
Section of the recent Social Congress at Huddersfield, that gentleman
explained his intentions. The proposals he made were so favourably
received, that subscriptions amounting to nearly one thousand pounds
were placed at his disposal. These, however, have not been needed, as
it happens that the improvements have been accompanied by an actual
reduction of expense; and the Home Secretary has determined that the
costs, limited within a certain moderate sum, shall still be borne
entirely by the public funds.
In addition to being much better printed, the new _Gazette_ already
shows decided improvement both in the selection and arrangement of its
contents. For convenient reference, particulars are not only grouped
according to the usual categories of crime, but are now classified
under special headings for the various districts to which cases
belong. Illustrations have also been introduced as a new feature.
These take the form of woodcuts from photographs of persons ‘wanted’
on various charges, or of valuable articles stolen. The first number
of the _Gazette_ contains the likeness of several criminals of
whom the authorities are in pursuit. In one instance, so as to aid
identification, the subject is shown not only with beard and moustache,
but also as he would appear when clean shaved. Some of these faces, it
is true, seem decent and commonplace enough, such as one sees almost
every hour of the day in the public streets; but others, ‘an index of
all villainy,’ are unmistakably those of dangerous characters whom
none of us would like to meet alone in a quiet road on a dark night.
But it is in the police album[1] that we can best study the variety of
expression by which the human countenance can betray every shade of
criminal depravity.
Meantime our business is only with the _Gazette_, which, among
other changes, has altered its days of publication. Hitherto it has
been issued three times every week; but now that the space is more
carefully utilised, twice a week is found sufficient. The War Office
and Admiralty have always had the privilege of inserting in its pages
a list and description of deserters from the army and navy. In future,
the Tuesday’s issue will be entirely devoted to these matters; and when
it is known that last year the total number of deserters was only one
short of six thousand, it may be inferred that the weekly list does
not leave much space to spare in a small four-page paper. The Friday’s
issue extends to eight pages, and is reserved exclusively for police
information, with the exception of two pages now set apart by contract
for advertising purposes. As far as increased circulation is concerned,
arrangements have been made to send supplies of the _Gazette_ not
only to every police force in the United Kingdom, but also, through
the government offices, to the guardians of the peace in the British
colonies and India. From the public generally, the _Gazette_ is
withheld.
The early issues of the _Gazette_, especially between 1829 and 1831,
bear significant testimony to the labour disturbances and political
excitement which immediately preceded the passing of the great Reform
Bill. Every number was then largely occupied with royal proclamations
in the cause of order, and offers in Lord Melbourne’s name of
government rewards for the arrest of incendiaries and disturbers of
the public peace. Again we are on the eve of parliamentary reform, but
without any symptoms of rioting; and the improved columns of the _Hue
and Cry_ are now left more free for ordinary police information as to
the appearance and lawless doings of the ‘incorrigible’ class.
[1] For an account of this interesting repository of crime, see ‘The
National Album’ in _Chambers’s Journal_ for October 18, 1879.