Poaching and Smuggling Crimes that weren’t really crimes – or were they?

1723 BLACK ACT made it illegal to poach with a blackened face and to carry or possess any equipment that could be used for hunting or fishing.   Why did people poach? Enclosure of the common land meant that people had nowhere to hunt or fish. Failed harvest meant poverty, unemployment and hunger. It was a way of life for many people. Many people believed that it was not wrong. There was no other way to get food if they had no money.

SMUGGLING had a romantic image but it was ruthless and the death penalty was brought in - 1735 for wounding a custom’s officer. RIDING OFFICERS were employed to keep a look-out for people smuggling in goods.   People smuggled because: High import duties made goods very expensive. Luxury items such as tea, coffee, brandy, tea and spices were often too difficult for people to afford. Large stretches of unguarded coastline made landing boats very easy. No proper police force. Everybody was doing it, even the local magistrates and MPs. Despite efforts to stop it smuggling carried on because too much money was there to be made. Smuggling only declined with the removal of import duties and by the early 19th Century died.