Bow Street runner

British  

/ bəʊ /

noun

1. (in Britain from 1749 to 1829) an officer at Bow Street magistrates' court, London, whose duty was to pursue and arrest criminals

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Example Sentences

It was the name of the celebrated Bow Street runner, as given in the London Gazette.

From The Wayfarers by Snaith, J. C.

The Bow Street runner expressed a fear that Lord Cochrane had firearms concealed under his clothes, and he was accordingly taken into one of the committee-rooms to be searched.

From The Life of Thomas, Lord Cochrane, Tenth Earl of Dundonald, G.C.B., Admiral of the Red, Rear-Admiral of the Fleet, Etc., Etc. Vol. I by Bourne, H. R. Fox (Henry Richard Fox)

Everybody was of the magistrate's opinion, except a single Bow Street runner, the same who had already examined the premises.

From International Short Stories English by Various

"I should like to know when you saw Sir Massingberd last," observed the Bow Street runner quietly, "and under what circumstances?"

From Lost Sir Massingberd, v. 2/2 A Romance of Real Life by Payn, James

"No, I won't," said the Bow Street runner doggedly.

From A Rogue's Life by Collins, Wilkie