In
1740 Sir Thomas de Veil, established a court house in Bow Street near
the Opera House in Covent Garden. Ten years later, his successor,
Henry Fielding, formed the Bow Street
Runners. Initially nicknamed Robin Redbreasts, on account of their
scarlet waistcoats, the original eight Bow Street Runners were London's
first band of constables. Their functions included serving writs,
detective work and arresting offenders. The Bow Street Runners travelled
all over the country in search of criminals and gained a reputation
for honesty and efficiency.
John Stafford, Chief Clerk at Bow
Street. used several spies, including John
Castle and George Edwards to help
arrest several members of the Spencean Philanthropists,
a group who were involved in the Spa Riots
and the Cato Street Conspiracy. The formation
of the London Metropolitan Police force by Sir
Robert Peel in 1829 brought an end to their activities.
Rudolf
Ackermann, Bow Street Office, from
Microcosm of London (1808)
(1)
William Pyne, The
Microcosm of London (1808)
The print gives an accurate representation of the Bow Street Office
at the time of an examination. This office has the largest jurisdiction
of any in the metropolis, its authority extending to every part of
his majesty's dominions.
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