History - Crime and Punishment - 18th and 19th century - Metropolitan Police

18th - 19th Century:

Metropolitan Police:

Background and Robert Peel

• For centuries policing had been the responsibility of the local communities
• 1829: The first professional full-time police force was formed in London
• Home Secretary Robert Peel was responsible for this.
• He supported penal reformation and was key in making prisons the main punishments for serious crimes and abolishing the Bloody Code

The Fielding Brothers

• Henry and John Fielding were London magistrates who first tried to improve policing in London.
• After taking over at Bow Street Magistrates Court they realised more people were needed on the streets to reduce crime.
• They believed the breakdown of order in London was cuased by the thousands moving there to make a living and resulted in a rise in crime.
• They introduced a 'horse patrol' to stop highwaymen and ended it in London
• However when it stopped the robbers returned so in 1805 a new patrol of 54 men was set up.
• They created Bow Street Runners (a team of theif-takers who patrolled London streets in evenings, investigated crimes and presented evidence in court)
• Thier newspaper published information about criminals, crime and stolen goods after collecting information from nation-wide magistrates and gaolers which created a network of information.
• However, there was still no co-ordination of constables, watchmen and runners…