Lesson 2: How was Whitechapel policed

• Who set up London's Metropolitan Police Force?

  Sir Robert Peel
• When was the Metropolitan Police Force established?

  In 1829
• What was the population of London compared to the police force in 1829?

  Over 8 million people to 13,000 officers
• How many officers were on shift at any one time in the Metropolitan Police?

  2,800 officers
• How did the number of arrests change over time?

  Increased from 11,000 to over 18,000
• When was the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) formed?

  In 1878
• What was the role of a police constable (PC)?

  To be a visible deterrent and catch criminals
• What was the purpose of creating detectives in the Metropolitan Police?

  To detect perpetrators of crimes
• How many officers were in the CID when it was established?

  216 officers
• Who was the head of the Metropolitan Police?

  Charles Warren
• Why was Charles Warren chosen as head of the Metropolitan Police?

  He was a former army general
• What was the public's initial perception of the Metropolitan Police?

  They were suspicious of the police
• Who did the Metropolitan Police report to?

  The Home Secretary
• What types of documents were used as evidence in police investigations?

  Official Home Office files and police reports
• What was the purpose of the Illustrated Police News?

  To entertain the public with sensational news
• What was the role of the Police Review?

  To tell a more accurate version of events
• What are the types of evidence used in police investigations?

  • Official Home Office files
  • Crown Court files
  • Star Chamber police documents
  • Police reports & memos
  • National and local newspaper reports
  • Illustrated Police News
  • The Police Review
  • Post-Mortem reports
  • The 1881 Census
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Metropolitan Police in Whitechapel?

  Strengths:

  • Established professional police force
  • Visible deterrent presence

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Insufficient officers for large population
  • CID was small and often ineffective
  • Public suspicion of police motives