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THE POLICE GAZETTE

Part 1: The Police Gazette - Issues for 1866-1878, 1882-1897 & 1899-1900 from the Cambridgeshire Police Archives

"No complete run of the Police Gazette exists. It is probable that this single fact alone accounts for the little use made of it by historians. It contains a wealth of information relating to crime, to offenders and policing. The publication on microfilm of this source, compiled from a variety of different archives is to be welcomed as a little known but immensely valuable resource."
Clive Emsley, Reader in History, The Open University

The Police Gazette originated from the work of Sir John Fielding (d1780), and his half-brother, the novelist, Henry Fielding (1707-1754) in Eighteenth Century London. As well as serving as magistrates and presiding over the introduction of a small number of paid constables - the Bow Street Runners - they experimented in the apprehension of criminals through the use of public advertising and the circulation of details of offenders to other justices throughout the country.

In 1752, Henry Fielding used his own publication, The Covent Garden Journal, to invite victims of crimes to contact him with details of the crimes committed against them, properties stolen, and descriptions of the criminals involved. Advertisements were then placed in the journal, usually with a reward attached, for the recovery of the property and the apprehension of the criminals. The advertisements proved to be a success and paved the way for a succession of journals specifically devoted to the description of criminals and offences. These range from Sir John Fielding’s Public Advertiser, to the Quarterly Pursuit and Weekly Pursuit, which were distributed to Mayors and Chief Magistrates far and wide. Shortly afterwards, Lord North persuaded George III that the journal deserved to be published on an official basis and there followed, in succession, the Public Hue and Cry, The Hue and Cry and Police Gazette and, finally, the Police Gazette. Approximately 150,000 copies were printed of each issue. The Metropolitan Police took over the publication of the Police Gazette from 1883, and from the same date illustrations start to appear in the text. The journal continues today.

Despite the large number of copies produced of the Police Gazette and its predecessors, no complete run exists anywhere in the world. The aim of this microfilm project is to assemble a 149 year run of the journal from 1752 through to 1900 by filming various scattered holdings.

Part 1 makes available issues for 1866-1869, 1871-1878, 1882-1897 & 1899-1900 from the holdings of the Cambridgeshire Police Archive (covering 30 years, representing 20% of the total).

Scholars can use the Police Gazette to quantify the levels of Murder and Malicious Wounding; Arson and Wilful Burning; Forgery; Robbery; Burglary and House Breaking; Horse and Cattle Stealing; Larceny and Embezzlement; and Fraud in Victorian Britain.



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