2E. Methods Of Combatting Crime Flashcards
Communal methods of combatting crime in Saxon and medieval times
- tithings dealt with local disturbances and were expected to report any offences committed by members of the tithing so people could be punished
- each tithing was lead by a tithingman
- the hue and cry began the process of finding people trying to escape justice
- each group of ten tithings was organised into a hundred that dealt with more serious offences
- England was divided into shires:
- the shire reeve was official in charge of maintaining law and order. Was unpaid although could claim payment from the property of a criminal. They were responsible for raising a posse to cath criminals who escaped their tithings
In the medieval era JPs began to be appointed to help Shire reeves. They were the same landowners who ran the manorial and royal courts. Overtime constables also began to replace hundredmen and parish constables the tithingmen but had same responsibility of organising a posse to help the sheriff/ shire reeve and hunt down offenders. Watchmen began to be required by law by the end of the 13th Century to protect towns from thieves and public disorder.
Justices of the peace in the Tudor period
Organised road and bridge repairs, checked weights and measures in shops, gave ale houses licences and supervised poor relief, acted as magistrates in petty sessions and quarter sessions.
In Tudor period they were unpaid however this likely did not reduce their effectiveness as they were rich landowners who wanted the status; therefore acted in a serious and professional manner in order to be reelected annually.
Their powers increased in 1554 when they could arrest people on suspicion of a crime and interrogate them for 3 days and this made them more effective.
However as their role and workload increased especially due to a rise in vagrancy, some JPs began to be corrupt and abuse their position.
Effectiveness of Constables and Watchmen in combatting crime in Tudor period
Parish constables were responsible for keeping order in inns and ale houses, preventing crimes like trespassing and poaching, arresting criminals. It was an unpaid role and done in addition to their usual day job making some reluctant to work. There was no training, uniform or weapons and most disliked having to keep watch on and report their friends and family especially as they were local tradesmen and farmers so knew workers well.
Watchmen were supposed to act as a deterrent to criminals and patrol streets at night. but were paid very little so reluctant to put in any effort; many were found asleep in pubs. After 1663when Charles 2 set up a force of watchmen to patrol streets of all towns and cities they were often mocked and children tried to bait them
who set up the bow street runners and when
The fielding brothers in winter of 1749-50
describe the bow street runners when they were first introduced
provided with handcuffs, a pistol and a stick. Paid a Guinea a week to catch criminals but also received rewards for every successful conviction. At first they wore their own clothes but later received a uniform.
what concept did John fielding introduce to policing
appealing to the public for help in solving crimes. He published a newspaper called the quarterly pursuit, later renamed The Public Hue And Cry. They publicised information on stolen property and other crimes; gave descriptions of wanted suspects.
why were the bow street runners more effective at policing that constables and watchmen
they had better training, equipment and pay.However, they only had influence in limited parts of London.
initiatives inspired by the Bow street runners
- in 1978 the Thames River Police was set up
-in 1972 the Middlesex Justices Act meant that seven other JPs were funded to extend the Bow street scheme to their areas
-in 1805 a new horse patrol was set up. It had 54 officers who were nicknamed Robin Redbreasts for their red uniform
the extension of police forces in the 19th C
Acts passed to extend policing
By the start of the century there was growing support for the concept of a professional, state funded, full-time police force. Sir Robert peel, the Home Secretary, supported this idea of the government taking responsibility for policing. He argued that it was needed because of the rising crimes rate + ineffectiveness of the current policing system : the peterloo massacre in 1819 showed the weaknesses of relying on the army to deal with public protests. However, many opposed the idea of a state run police force as they believed it would be used to control people.
The 1829 metropolitan police act, the 1839 Metropolitan police act, 1835 Municipal corporations act, 1839 county police act, 1856 county and borough police act.
Methods of new police forces in 19th C
All new police forces consisted of ordinary constables and inspectors. Constables were expected to be young men, over 5’7” tall and be able to read and write. They worked 7 days a week and spent their time walking the beat on foot.
1839 Metroplitan police act
Extended the area covered by the Metropolitan Police to a 15-mile radius from the centre of London.
1835 Municipal Corporations act
Gave towns outside London the power to set up their own police force if they wanted to. However, by 1837, only 93 out of 171 towns had done this.
1839 County Police Act
Gave Justices of the Peace in each county the power to set up their own police force. Doing so was not compulsory and only 55 forces had been set up by 1856.
1856 County Borough Police Act
Made it compulsory for all towns and counties in England and Wales to set up a full-time, paid police force
the 1829 Metropolitan Police act
Set up the Metropolitan Police in central London. Two commissioners were appointed to set up and run the new police force. Around 3,200 men were recruited to be full-time, trained, paid policemen. Many of the new constables were ex-soldiers. The numbers quickly grew and by 1882 there were 11,700 men in the Metropolitan Police. They became known as ‘Peelers’ after Sir Robert Peel.
