Whitechapel, in the East End of London, experienced high amounts of crime and difficulties in policing at the end of the 19th century
Several women were murdered in, or around, the Whitechapel area but their killer was never caught
The murders were thought to be carried out by one individual who came to be known as Jack the Ripper
Rookeries
Slum areas in a town or city where rates of poverty and crime were high
Whitechapel had 233 common lodging houses, also known as 'doss' houses, which contained as many as 8,000 people
The 1871 census showed that there were 902 lodgers staying in 31 of the 'doss houses' on Flower and Dean Street
Workhouse
Where those who could not afford a bed for the night, or were young, old or sick, could go
The rules in workhouses were strict, including what they could eat, how they worked, the time they went to bed and the time they had to get up
Families were separated in the workhouses, and adults and children were only allowed to see each other once a day
The Whitechapel workhouse was at South Grove, and at the centre of Whitechapel was Buck's Row, where a workhouse infirmary for the sick was located
Across the road from Buck's Row, at St Thomas' Street, there was a 'casual ward' with spaces for 60 people who wanted a bed for just one night
The rules in the casual ward were very harsh, as inmates were expected to work to earn their bed for the night
Peabody Estate
New flats built in 1879 to offer affordable rents to tenants, providing betterlivingconditions than the slums
George Peabody insisted that the Peabody Estate flats should benefit Londoners who were poor, of moral character and good members of society
Unemployment and the overcrowded living conditions in Whitechapel led to crime being committed regularly, including petty theft and drunkenness
Some people in Whitechapel attempted to cope with the difficulties of unemployment and homelessness by drinking alcohol, which often led to an increase in the numbers of arguments and assaults
Whitechapel, in the East End of London, experienced high amounts of crime and difficulties in policing at the end of the 19th century
Several women were murdered in, or around, the Whitechapel area but their killer was never caught
The murders were thought to be carried out by one individual who came to be known as Jack the Ripper
Whitechapel
Known for poverty, discontent, alcoholism, sex work and crime
Many unemployed and very poor residents
Others were relatively comfortable
According to a report from the medical officer of health for Whitechapel in 1873, Whitechapel was very overcrowded, with 189 people living in each acre
Rookeries
Slum areas in a town or city where rates of poverty and crime were high
In Whitechapel in the late 19th century, there were 233 common lodging houses, also known as 'doss' houses, containing as many as 8,000 people
The 1871 census showed that there were 902 lodgers staying in 31 of the 'doss houses' on Flower and Dean Street
Whitechapel workhouse
Strict rules enforced, including what inmates could eat, how they worked, bedtimes
Families separated
Seen as humiliating
Constant hunger, poor sanitation, frequent illness, poor sleep and violence
The rules at the Whitechapel workhouse casual ward were very harsh, as inmates were expected to work to earn their bed for the night
Deterrence
Punishment that should put people off committing crime
In 1879 an area of Whitechapel called Royal Mint Street contained a large number of lodging houses, which were demolished and replaced by the Peabody Estate flats
Peabody Estate flats
Offered affordable rents to tenants
Provided better living conditions including improved ventilation, brick walls, shared courtyards, laundry rooms, bathrooms and kitchens
Tenants carefully selected to ensure they would look after the housing
Residuum
People born into poverty, who often turned to crime in order to survive
Alcohol consumption in Whitechapel often led to an increase in the numbers of arguments and assaults, and made drunk people victims of petty theft and pickpockets
Rookeries
Slum areas in a town or city characterized by high rates of poverty and crime
Slum areas
Residential areas that are overcrowded, unsanitary, and often dangerous or unhealthy to live in
High rates of poverty
A significant portion of the population lacks the financial resources to meet basic needs such as food, clothing, and housing
High rates of crime
A significant amount of illegal activity occurs in these areas, making them unsafe and unstable places to live
Whitechapel, in the East End of London, experienced high amounts of crime and difficulties in policing at the end of the 19th century
The murders of several women took place in, or around, the area but their killer was never caught
The murders were thought to be carried out by one individual who came to be known as Jack the Ripper
Whitechapel
Known for poverty, discontent, alcoholism, sex work and crime
Between c.1870 and c.1900, a range of people lived there, many unemployed and very poor, while others were relatively comfortable
According to a report from the medical officer of health for Whitechapel in 1873, Whitechapel was very overcrowded, with 189 people living in each acre