The Isle of Wight Observer published on 14th November, 1863 carried this complaint about the police.

WHAT ARE THE POLICE FOR?

If any gentleman writes to Capt. Forrest, as to the shortcomings of the police, he coolly and in so many words tells him to “mind his own business.” Such advice would be all very well if the aforesaid gentleman who complains did not contribute to the cost of the police. But the complainants against the police are large ratepayers and gentlemen holding high positions; therefore, if Capt. Forrest will not listen to them, an appeal must be made to public opinion. The Isle of Wight in general and the town of Ryde in particular pay very heavily to the police rate (which is collected with the poor rates, hence it is not known), and yet police duties are excessively badly attended to. Vagrancy, petty thieving, obstructions upon the highways, and all sorts of police irregularities, are constantly indulged in without check or control. Indeed, we do not recollect that at any period, since the establishment of the rural police about 25 years ago, when police duties have been so badly managed as during the past year. The complaints which reach us are so regular and spread over so large an area that we are justified in appealing to the resident magistrates (whom we have always found ready to move in any matter demanding their interference) to institute enquiries with a view to apply a remedy. For some time Ryde seems to be turned into a drilling ground for raw recruits in “the force;” perhaps the Johny Rawbones who are sent here may do by-and-by. But it unfortunately happens that the most skilful and practised vagrants in the country frequent Ryde on account of its wealth; and therefore, the more especially as Ryde pays heavily for protection, it ought to have experienced police. We give as a fair specimen of the thousands of complaints which we receive the following from a gentleman of the highest position: “The slipway is now infested by a gang of ragged urchins waiting for the tide to go out – five small boys (headed by one rather older, supposed to come from Newport). Their impudence exceeds their dirt and rags. Their daily occurrence. Is it to be tolerated? What are the police for?” We know that the complaint is not unfounded; for on Monday last we narrowly escaped having an eye cut out by these dangerous boys.