Collaboration, 1750-74^49increasing: in the six months between September and March 1766-67, there
had been 13 burglaries with a loss valued at £289; in the same period in
1769-70, the figures had increased to 104 burglaries and losses worth £4241.
Asked why, Fielding argued there were more young men whose families
were so poor they could not equip them with a trade. These boys started out
as pickpockets and progressed to housebreakers. Fielding also offered what
were by then standard explanations for rising crime - too many brothels, too
many pubs, and too little punishment for receiving stolen property. He also
felt ballad singers should be prevented from singing in the streets as this
provided opportunities for pickpockets.^24
But most of the witnesses' remarks concerned the night watch of West-
minster. They complained that the numbers and age of watchmen were not
adequate to their task, watchmen were not paid enough (especially in light of
the difficulty of their task), beadles were not very useful, and constables were
not attentive to their duty.^25 Fielding criticized watch committees, which he
referred to as 'separate Commissions', for not conferring together on
the placement of watchmen's beats at parish borders. This, he argued, 'leaves
the Frontiers of each Parish in a confused state', because watchmen cannot
aid each other, even if they are just across the street.
Rainsforth and Sayer had more to say about constables. Rainsforth had
visited the watchhouses of all the parishes of Westminster at various times in
his capacity as High Constable and found most constables were on duty but
some were not. He felt that when constables were delinquent, this allowed
beadles and watchmen to slack off. Sayer recommended increasing the
number of constables from 80 to 120 and that their appointment should be
taken out of the hands of the Court of Burgesses. He also complained that
the rich were too often excused or never nominated, while young tradesmen,
who could ill afford to neglect their business, were chosen. He reminded the
House of Commons that 'by common Law, every Person, able and fit is liable
to serve .. .'. Sayer also complained of the quality of men offered as sub-
stitutes but he also had to admit that he, as Deputy High Steward, had to
approve all those hired as deputy constables. He defended himself, saying: 'it
is impossible for him [the Deputy High Steward] to get a true Character of
the Person nominated, he finds many unfit Persons are appointed, who ...
make a 'ftade of serving the Office'. Fielding and Sayer both suggested that
the way to improve the situation was to 'reward' constables and magistrates
for their time and effort. Presumably adequate compensation would elim-
inate the need for these officials to make a profit from excess fees. Fielding
went so far as to recommend 'that the private Office of Justice of the Peace
should be abolished'.^26
Most of Fielding's other recommendations for improving the Westminster
night watch were, by then, common sense - increase watchmen's pay; reduce
the size of beats; hire no one over the age of 50; stagger the appointment of