Crime and punishment topic 4 Flashcards
What were the main communal methods of combatting crime in the medieval periods
Tithings, JPs, chief constables, watchmen
How did tithings work
Ten tithings were grouped into a hundred, the hundred man dealt with more serious crimes
How was England divided
Into shires, with a sheriff responsible for public order in each shire (this was unpaid)
When were JPs appointed
1326
Who replaced the hundredmen
Two chief constables
What was the job of the chief constables
To maintain law and order and report to the JPs, had to do archery practice on Sundays and check that all men 15-60 could fight for the king
What was difficult about the chief constables job
It was unpaid, time consuming and they had to do it as well as their original job
Which method of combatting crime stayed the same from the medieval times to the early 16th century
The hue and cry
Why were new methods of combatting crime adopted in the 16th century
The medieval system was less effective in growing towns
How many laws were the JPs responsible for enforcing
Over 300
What was the main role of a JP
To act as a magistrate - it was common in Tudor times for them to try minor cases eg drunkenness and fighting
What were the Quarter Sessions
These happened four times a year and it was where all the JPs in the country would meet
Give three examples of JP roles
Supervise the maintenance of roads
Regulate wages of manual workers
Supervise the relief of the poor
What were some of the duties of the constable
Make arrests and escort to prison
Ensure that taxes are paid on time
Keep an eye on apprentices
What was the role of the night watchman
To patrol the streets at night, calling out the hour and catching any criminals
What were the drawbacks of parish constables and night watchmen
They were unpopular roles as they were unpaid and had to be done as well as a day job
What were the positives of parish constables and night watchmen
They helped to maintain law and order across the country and their presence reassured locals
Who started policing at Bow Street in the 18th century, setting an example for the Fielding brothers
Thomas de Veil, a retired army officer
Why did Henry and John Fielding attempt to tackle crime as the Bow Street Runners
Henry was appointed Chief Magistrate and was horrified at the level of crime in the city
Which causes of crime did Henry Fielding identify
Too many moving to London expected an easy life, the government was corrupt, people chose crime over hard work and the constables were useless
How did Henry try to stop crime
He kept a record of all reported crimes and he trained 6 law officers to act as full time ‘runners’. He also paid them .
Did the Bow Street Runners wear a uniform to begin with?
No
Who took over from Henry when his health started to fail
His half brother John
What was John Fielding nicknamed
Blind Beak
What newspaper did John Fielding establish
The Quarterly Pursuit
How was the work of the Fielding brothers continued by others
London was divided into 7 police districts
The Thames River Police was set up and the government started funding them in 1800
How many constables did London have by 1829
450
Whose campaign resulted in the Metropolitan Police Act
Sir Robert Peel, the Home Sectretary
What were some features of the new Metropolitan Police
The headquarters were at Scotland Yard
The wage was one guinea a week
Constables had to work a seven day week
What did the second Metropolitan Police Act establish
The area they covered was extended to a 15 mile radius which meant the end of separate forces eg the Bow Street Runners
How many policemen in the Metropolitan Police in 1862
7800
How many policemen in the Metropolitan Police in 1900
16000
How was the network of police forces created
First the Municipal Corporations Act was introduced, then the Rural Police Act to speed up the progress, and when still many rural areas objected, a police force in every county was made compulsory in the County and Borough Police Act
How did policing change in the 20th century
Introduction of female police officers in 1919, advances in transport and communication
When were female police officers fully integrated into the police force
In the 1970s
What percentage of the police force are women now
30%
When was the first female Constable appointed
1995
How has telephone/graph and radio helped the police
Police telephone boxes appeared in the 1920s
The 999 number was introduced in 1937
Today all police carry a two way radio
How have cameras and videos helped the police
Evidence from CCTV has helped to solve many crimes and most police cars now have cameras fitted
How have computers helped the police
The Police National Computer has records on over 25 million people and can cover fingerprints and DNA records
When was DNA profiling developed
1984
Give examples of specialist branches in the police force
Fraud Squad, Dog Handlers, Anti-Terrorist Branch
What are the aims of the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme
Help to protect people and their properties
Reduce fear of crime, assist police
Improve police-community relations
What are Victim Support Schemes
A National organisation that offers advice, councelling and reassurance to victims
Give two examples of community policing
Neighbourhood Watch, victim support schemes
