Detective Work Contracted Out

Detective Work Contracted Out.

Touching the public side of the question, there is also another important matter: That is, the apportioning of the huge amount of private detective work which is filtered through the Yard. This is given out to retired officers, who in turn employ private inquiry agents to do it, paying them at an arranged rate. All the work has to be paid for heavily, the Yard extracting a huge toll, which goes into the pockets of higher officials as a charge for the introduction. The man who really does the work is paid at a fair rate in some instances, but as low as 5s. a day has been offered and accepted by at least one retired official. A guinea per day and expenses is the usual charge to the person requiring such services. Many hundreds of pounds go through the Yard annually in this direction, and some real supervision ought certainly to prevail.

Source: From "The Detective Service From Within", written by ex-1st Class Sergeant W.H. Harris, C.I.D.

I have been researching these private inquiry agents, mentioned in several newspaper articles and have come up with a list of agents from the late 1880's to the early 1900's:

* Frederick Steven Collins , a private detective mentioned in the "News Of The World" on December 22, 1918, Page 3
What Detective Saw

* William George, another private detective and Alfred Darling, a private enquiry agent and a late Chief Inspector of Metropolitan Police mentioned in the "News Of The World" on January 7, 1900, Page 2
West End Massage Scandal

* Mr. Lloyd, a private inquiry agent, who was sometimes employed in delicate unofficial missions for Scotland Yard is mentioned in the Penny Illustrated Paper of Saturday, December 30, 1911; Page 852; Issue 2640

* Mr. Halldane, an inquiry agent mentioned in the "News Of The World" on November 17, 1918, page 4
Colonel And Baronet

* George Chancey, an inquiry agent mentioned in the "News Of The World" on August 12, 1900, Page 2
In The Divorce Court

* John Augustus Chippendale, a private inquiry agent mentioned in the "Weekly Dispatch" on January 10, 1886, Page 10
Police Intelligence

* Arthur Walford, a private detective mentioned in the "Daily News" on November 28, 1918, Page 8
A Disreputable Scoundrel

* Mr. Stewart, a private detective mentioned in the "News Of The World" on August 8, 1886, Page 3
Charge Of Assault Against Lord Lonsdale

* Frederick Holmes, a private inquiry agent mentioned in the "News Of The World" on July 21, 1918, Page 2
Took Her Own Road

* Mr. Cook, a private inquiry agent mentioned in the "Penny Illustrated Paper" on Saturday, June 21, 1890; Page 390; Issue 1516

* William Bertram, a private detective mentioned in the "News Of The World" on April 21, 1918, Page 3
I Don't Care

* Englebert Thole, a private detective mentioned in the "News Of The World" on July 14, 1918, Page 1
A Trip To Paris

* George Cook, a private detective mentioned in the "News Of The World" on January 7, 1900, Page 2 (may be the same Mr. Cook, as mentioned above)
Massage Scandal

* Detective Brant, who formerly pursued the calling of a private detective at Johannesburg is mentioned in the "Penny Illustrated Paper" on Saturday, April 09, 1892; Page 234; Issue 1610

* Mr. Justine Chevasse, a private inquiry agent mentioned in the "News Of The World" on April 28, 1918, Page 2
He Met A Lady

* William Barnes of Slater's Detective Agency, mentioned in the "News Of The World" on July 1, 1900, Page 4
Divorce Petitions

* Mr. Thomas William Lerway, a police pensioner and carrying on business as a private inquiry agent at Bristol, mentioned in the "News Of The World" on May 19, 1918, Page 2
The Primrose Path

* Mr. Squire White, a private inquiry agent of Pimlico mentioned in the "Weekly Dispatch" on February 21, 1886, Page 10
Law Intelligence

* Mr. Clarke, the private inquiry agent mentioned in the "Penny Illustrated Paper" on Saturday, April 06, 1895; Page 214; Issue 1767