18th & 19th Century Britain - Crimes Against the Person & Property

Question 1

what caused an increase in crime during the 18th-19th century Britain?

Answer 1

-people travelling more = communities less tightly knit
-larger towns = easier to escape being caught
-some criminals became ‘professional’ within gangs of thieves
-extreme poverty = rise in ‘survival’ crimes such as stealing food

Question 2

why did highway robbery increase in 18th-19th century Britain?

Answer 2

-improved roads = more people travelling
+ increased trade between towns meaning more goods & money being transported by road
-many roads isolated = easy to get away w highway robbery

Question 3

what happened in 1772 to try to reduce highway robbery?

Answer 3

became a capital crime to be armed & in disguise in a high road

Question 4

what were the changes in poaching between 18th-19th century Britain?

Answer 4

-increased in 18th century
-> led to the 1723 Waltham Black Act which made poaching a capital crime
-> part of bloody code

Question 5

changes in smuggling in 18th-19th century Britain

Answer 5

-increased because of tax on imported goods was so high
-led to large gangs of smugglers such as:
Hawkhurst Gang
-taxes cut in 1840s & smuggling decreased