POLICE ARRANGEMENTS.
127
APPENDIX No. XXV.
Uni’ouT of the Omni'' Commissioner of Police on the Subject of the Exhibition.
It became my duty, as the timo for tho Groat Exhibition of 18.5] approached, to represent totho Secretary of State that a large augmentation of the Police force would be required for carry-ing on tho Police arrangements immediately in connexion with tho Exhibition, and for thogeneral duties of Police in all parts of tho metropolis.
Tho subject was officially submitted for tho consideration of Secretary Sir George Grey in myletter of Nov. 5,1850 ; tho principal heads were mentioned by which numerous additional dutiesand greatly increased responsibility would bo imposed on tho Police. It was stated that itmust bo expected from tho unprecedented character of the Exhibition, and tho invitation givento tho whole world to take part in it, that a vastly greater number of persons would be inducedto visit this metropolis than have over been brought together on any former occasion, such anassemblage necessarily increasing in an immenso degree the responsibility and tho labours ofthe Police. Largo and continuing demands on tho Police would thus be made for measures ofobservation and precaution; provision must bo made for tho protection, by night and by day,of tho Exhibition Building, the safety of tho property of such enormous value deposited in it.and tho protection of all visitors from theft, insult, &c.
Arrangements were required for tho convenient access and egress of all, not only in tho im-mediate approaches to tho Exhibition, but likewise to keep tho thoroughfares and streets fromdistant parts free from obstruction. The difficulties in making such arrangements woro greatlyaggravated by the nature of tho locality. Tho streets leading to the Park, as well as the roadsin tho Park at that season, in ordinary years, arc so thronged, that considerable numbers ofPolice are regularly employed merely to keep open the passage for carriages and persons onhorseback, interruption at any points immediately causing a block for a long way into thetown. Carriages, public and private, from all quarters, going to the Exhibition, must finallycomo upon tho single lino of road leading from Piccadilly towards Kensington ; this road inseveral points is narrow, and barely sufficient for tho usual traffic. Police regulations wouldhave to bo enforced as to tho lino to bo kept by carriages going to tho Exhibition, andreturning from the places of waiting and drawing off. Increased protection by tho Policemust also bo given to tho inhabitants of stroots in the neighbourhood of tho Park, tho crowdsof people that would bo brought there affording opportunities for tho commission of crime,anil causing offence and annoyance.
On tho 8th Eob. 1851, 1 communicated to Sir Goorgo Grey that tho Royal Commissionersfor tho Exhibition desired that the interior of tho Building should bo taken cliargo of by thoPolice on tho 11th Eob., when tho goods for tho Exhibition woro to bo first received. 1 statedthat I had boon in communication with tho Executive Committee on tho subject ; that thoBuilding was in a very insecure state, wholly open at ono end, and unfinished in many places ;that upwards of 2,000 workmen woro omployed thoro ; tho goods woro admitted in waggonsaccompanied by attendants, Custom-house officers, porters, tho parties to whom goods belonged,and thoir assistants, going in and out ; that it was impossible for mo to say, under tlioso cir-cumstances, what number of Police would bo required for tho duty ; that I should make anexperiment for a few days with such number as 1 found necessary, and expected then to beable to form an opinion of tho number wanted during this preparatory period. Tho Police forthis duty woro to bo drawn from tho ordinary reserves of the force, and 1 requested that anaugmentation of 50 constables should bo made to the preparatory class.
On tho l()th Eebruary tho following order was given for tho Police to take charge of thoBuilding :—Police Order. “ Superintendent Pearce will take cliargo of tho Exhibition Buildingto-morrow, and until further orders, with 3 inspectors, 5 Serjeants, and 50 constables, and makesuch arrangements for tho duties of the Police as will ensure tho safety of tho property ofExhibitors on its arrival at tho Building; ho will report to tho Commissioners at any timowhen it is desirable that an augmentation of tho Police should bo made.”
Tho Police for tho Exhibition was increased subsequently, on—
Eebruary
24th.
_
-
_
2
sergeants
-
-
20 constables.
7 7
March
20tli.
_
_
_
3
ditto
-
_
30
ditto.
7 th.
-
_ _
-
2
ditto
_
_
30
ditto.
7 }
18th.
_
_
_
3
ditto
_
-
20
ditto.
7 7
21st.
..
_ -
_
, _
-
-
20
ditto.
7 7
April
24 th.
1 inspector -
-
5
sergeants
-
-
30
ditto.
2nd.
_
_ _
—
-
-
30
ditto.
7 9
13 th.
-
- »
-
2
sorgeants
-
-
20
ditto.
7 7
15 th.
_
_ _
_
3
ditto
-
-
. -
7 7
17 th.
_ _
_
_
-
-
4 constables.
7 7
20th.
_
_
_
___.
-
-
20
ditto.
7 i
21st.
_
_ _
_
-
-
30
ditto.
23rd.
-
_ _
_
_
-
-
30
ditto.
I