Police Equipment

[Luke111]

Hello,
I was hoping to get some of my questions, regarding the Police in Victorian London during the ripper crimes. Any information (links, pictures, etc.) is greatly appreciated, but i am wondering about two things in particular:
-Did, and if so which ranks of police officers, did carry guns/ firearms?
and
-How common was it for policemen (sergeants, inspectors etc) to be in the streets investigating incognito, (dressed as a civilian) ?
Looking forward to your answers
greetings

[DVV]

Only Anderson was armed and dangerous.

[lynn cates]

truth

Hello David. My favourite quote about Sir Robert Anderson is found in Christy Campbell's "Fenian Fire." It runs, " . . . but for once, Robert Anderson was telling the truth."

Besides some undercover police during the autumn of terror, there were also a few Okhrana agents, German police spies, and spies both for and against the Irish groups.

Cheers.
LC

[DVV]

He only thought he was Irish.

[PC Roadnight]

Hi Luke,
It was possible for any rank to be issued with firearms, though usually PCs and Sergeants would carry rifles and Inspectors revolvers. They were not however carried as a matter of course. A large proportion of Met Officers were ex-army and therefore proficient in the use of firearms.

I presume by 'dressed as civilians' you refer to other than actual CID officers. Well it did happen, particularly in response to surges of local crime, that divisional officers sometimes were posted in 'civvies' as 'aides to CID' but usually employed in divisional sections that were not their own 'Manor'. Not surprisingly the employment usually fell short of a period beyond which they could claim plainclothes expenses. Plus ca change!!

[Luke111]

So you mean, they were not always carrying firearms. I mean, was a normal PC on beat carrying a rifle? Or did an inspector on his way to a crime scene carry a revolver? Or did they only get firearms when necessary, for example when doing a raid/razzia?
Thanks for your answer

[Luke111]

Just found this link to the archives of the legacy of a Charles Booth, who interviewed and wrote about Crime in Victorian London.
Heres the link

http://booth.lse.ac.uk/

enjoy it, as I sure did

[Bridewell]

Swords Too

Hello,
I was hoping to get some of my questions, regarding the Police in Victorian London during the ripper crimes. Any information (links, pictures, etc.) is greatly appreciated, but i am wondering about two things in particular:
-Did, and if so which ranks of police officers, did carry guns/ firearms?
and
-How common was it for policemen (sergeants, inspectors etc) to be in the streets investigating incognito, (dressed as a civilian) ?
Looking forward to your answers
greetings

Hi Luke,

I don't think it will have been the case in Whitechapel in 1888, but, in the early years, Metropolitan Police officers were issued with cutlasses in more remote areas (at night anyway). They were available to Dagenham officers (as far out as the Met extended at that time) in 1846, because 20 year old Pc George Clark was carrying one when he was murdered there - possibly with his own sword.

[Monty]

Luke,

PCs were not issued with firearms as part of their regular kit.

For a regular beat in 1888, a Met PC wore a tunic (with leather collar), trousers, Boots, Helmet, S link belt, Whistle, Truncheon, handcuffs, notebook and a Bulls eye lamp. In cooler weather ther wore a cape, in extreme cold weather a greycoat.

The City had pretty much the same kit apart from the fact they didnt carry whistles in 1888.

Firearms would only be used in extreme situations, such as sieges....Sidney Street springs to mind.

Hope that helps.

Monty

[DVV]

We often allude to the ripper scare, but never in terms of "scared constables".
I guess some have been scared walking their beat in Automn 88. It was truncheon vs knife.
Whatever, constable was really hard job at the time. Poor guys.

[Monty]

PC Pearce, of Mitre Square fame, was a bedwetter David,

DC Marriott, again of Mitre Square fame. Was 'hob knocked' (kicked in the balls) and later suffered epilepsy after being struck by a run away horse and cart. Dr F G Brown declared him unfit for service.

PC Simmons, who helped PC Robinson escort Eddowes to Bishopsgate, died whilst cutting his hedge. Standing on a cart to gain height, the horse it was attached to got spooked and bolted. He was thrown off, fractured his head and died later.

PC Hutt, who was the last person we know saw Eddowes, was reprimanded for assaulting a prisoner in the dock.

PC Thompson, who found Coles, died at a fight at a coffee stall.


All human beings, some no angels, but all out there risking their lives.

Monty

[ChrisGeorge]

Hi Luke

Here's a policeman of the day for you.



This shows a Metropolitan Police constable equipped for night duty, with a bull's eye lantern attached to his belt.

Best regards

Chris

[DVV]

Neil, not only risky but hard and tough for a little salary.

[DVV]

Edmund Reid's career is admirable in this respect.

[Monty]

It had its perks David,

Roof over your head for you and your family, clothing allowence, coal allowence, few freebies for blind eye turns etc, weren't bad

Monty