POLICING IN THE 18TH CENTURY

Question 1

Before 18th century what was policing like?

Answer 1

citizens had responsibility under law to help apprehend criminals, nightwatch was tasked at parish and communal level, city marshals and beadles do daytime watch duties along wioth dealing with vagrants and supervise nightwatch, theif takers

Question 2

what was the constables job pre 18th century?

Answer 2

ordered to sweep streets of prostitutes, vagrants, disorderly people and organised and supervised nightwatch

Question 3

what were some 18th century developments?

Answer 3

paid watchmen, westminister parishes obtained watch acts 1774, city of london obtained own act 1737

Question 4

how did theif takers grow in 18th century?

Answer 4

they. required knowledge of criminal underworld and they were good at their job by both collecting rewards and negotiating with criminals to return stolen goods for a fee

Question 5

what were thief makers?

Answer 5

people that convinced gullible men to commit crimes, it was outlawed in 1718 under jonothan wild act

Question 6

how did the bow street runners come into being?

Answer 6

in 1748 henry and john fielding took over bow st rotation office and hired theif takers. they had organised foot and horse patrols