Developments in Law enforcement

• law enforcement before 1829

  • for hundreds of years policing had been the responsibility of ordinary people in the local community.
  • However, the growth in the population and the development of towns and cities meant that a more organised, centrally run law enforcement system was needed.
  • The community system relied on people having a collective responsibility & knowing eachother.
  • Attempts at controlling crime had a mixed success and there were many accusations of corruption.
• Did authorities allow corruption to take place?

  • yes
  • magistrates were responsible for crime prevention, they took change of suspects and were supposed to make sure they were held before trial in prison however by 1700s constables had come corrupt
• Did anyone do anything to improve policing in the 1700s?

  • night watchmen by early 1700s, patrolled streets, arrest drunks and vagabonds
  • watch acts from parliment
  • westminister parishes
• Did local communities take any action to deal with the increase in crime?

  • groups of private citizens or organisations formed their own watch schemes to supplement those provided by the parish.
  • some wealthy citizens banded together
  • set up thames river police
• Did authorities take any more responsibilities for crime prevention?

  • no
  • gov funding was erratic and only came at tines of concern about crimes after riots and wars
• The feilding brothers

  • London magistrates, John and Henry attempted to improve policing in London in 1748. They believed rising crime was the result of a breakdown in order as the the numbers of people moving to London grew.
  • They introduced 3 key strategies at reducing crime
• what did the The feilding brothers do?

  • The bow street runners were a team of theif takers who patrolled streets at London
  • they investigated crimes and presented evidence at court
  • Horse patrols to stop highway men, this was highly effective.
  • The hue and cry newspaper published, contained information about criminals and stolen goods and was shared nationally.
• The metropolitan police act

  • the work of the Feilding brothers showed how effective a more organised system of preventing crime could be, However, it still had flaws as there was no overall coordination of constables, watchmen and runners
  • sir robert peel saw the best chance of creating a successful law enforcement system was if it was put under gov control.
• • In 1829, the Metropolitan police act created the metropolitan police force. there was a widespread belief that crimes increasing and as people became more used to the gov being more involved in their everyday lives, they were more willing to accept a police force and willing to pay for it


  sir robert peel
• Why was Peel able to set the m.p.f

  • persuasive, reassured politicians that a p.f wouldn't threat freedom
  • more money given to gov through tax due to france war, this could help pay for a p.f
• The police force

  • the initial force contained 3,300 trained officers who wore blue uniform to distinguish themselves from the public. They were equipped with a wooden truncheon, wooden rattle and handcuffs
• factors

  • a.i.s: people willing to accept a formal p.f as crime rates increased and the threat of revolution loomed
  • gov: peel persuaded MPs to vote for the m.p.a
  • individuals: key contributions made by feilding brothers and home secratary, peel
  • towns: growth of towns and cities meant law enforcement based on collective responsibility weren't suitable.