The development of the Police Crime and Punishment The development of the Police

Medieval Times A man would serve as a Constable for a year He was not paid Tasks included keeping the King’s Peace, reporting bad behaviour to the manor courts, & calling out the hue & cry

Tudors & Stuarts Again an ordinary citizen Had to both catch & punish wrongdoers Job becoming more difficult –some paid deputies to do job

Watchmen or “Charlies” First set up in reign of Charles II Task was to patrol streets of London at night Many were old and/or poorly paid Not very effective!

The ‘Mohocks’ roamed London, terrorising the citizens

Thief Takers Government started to offer rewards to catch criminals This led to thief takers like Jonathan Wild He set criminals up to convict them!

Bow Street Runners Henry Fielding and his brother John (the Blind Beak) were London magistrates Created the Bow Street Runners - had powers of arrest Could travel all over England

A Bow Street Runner Early Bow Street Runners were armed with pistols and swords Many became quite well known

Bow Street Runners (1)

Bow Street Runners (2) The Bow Street Runners were often ex-soldiers They were very successful & were extended as a mounted patrol

Sir Robert Peel Home Secretary in 1820s Reformed prisons & cut capital crimes Introduced Metropolitan Police Act (1829)

“Peelers” or “Bobbies” Ex-soldiers Armed with wooden truncheons Not popular at first

Attitudes towards the police “Blind Man’s Buff” What is this 19th century cartoon saying about the effectiveness of the police?

How effective were the new police? This cartoon was printed in 1862 What does it tell us about attitudes towards crime? What does it tell us about the effectiveness of the police?