The extension of police forces in the 19th century
By the start of the 19th century, there was increasing support for the concept of a professional, state-funded, full-time police force. Sir Robert Peel, the 91ȱ Secretary, supported the idea of the Government taking responsibility for organising policing. However, the idea was still very controversial.
Peel argued that because the crime rate was rising, especially in the industrial towns and in London, a change in policing was needed. People were increasingly aware that most of the existing methods of catching criminals (JPs, Constables and Charlies) were not effective, particularly in the light of the massive industrial, agricultural and population changes at the time. The growth of popular protest convinced many that a professional police force was required. Events such as the Peterloo Massacre in 1819, showed the weaknesses of relying on the army to deal with public protests.
However, many people were opposed to the idea of a state-run police force as they believed it would threaten freedom. People thought the Government would use the police force to force people to do what they wanted. This had been seen in other European countries. People thought the police would be busy-bodies and would pry into people's business. However, the main opposition was the increased tax that would be required to pay for the police force.
The 1829 Metropolitan Police Act set up the Metropolitan Police Force in central London. Two commissioners were appointed to set up and run the new police force. 3,200 men were recruited to be full-time, trained and paid policemen. Many of the new Constables were ex-soldiers. Numbers quickly grew and by 1882 there were 11,700 men in the Metropolitan Police.
The success of the Metropolitan Police led to the idea of a police force being extended within London and across the whole of England and Wales.
| Act | Development |
| 1835 Municipal Corporations Act | Gave towns outside of London the power to set up their own police force |
| 1839 Metropolitan Police Act | Extended the area covered by the Metropolitan Police to a 15-mile radius from the centre |
| 1839 County Police Act | Gave each county the power to set up their own police force |
| 1856 County and Borough Police Act | Made it compulsory for all towns and counties in England and Wales to set up a proper full-time, paid police force |
| Act | 1835 Municipal Corporations Act |
|---|---|
| Development | Gave towns outside of London the power to set up their own police force |
| Act | 1839 Metropolitan Police Act |
|---|---|
| Development | Extended the area covered by the Metropolitan Police to a 15-mile radius from the centre |
| Act | 1839 County Police Act |
|---|---|
| Development | Gave each county the power to set up their own police force |
| Act | 1856 County and Borough Police Act |
|---|---|
| Development | Made it compulsory for all towns and counties in England and Wales to set up a proper full-time, paid police force |
Each area set up their own force on the same lines as the Metropolitan Police.
The methods of the new police forces
At first all of the new police forces consisted of ordinary constables and inspectors. Constables were expected to be young men, over 5’7” tall and be able to read and write. They worked seven days a week and spent their time ‘walking the beat’ – a set patrol area on foot.
At first there was a lot of opposition to the new police forces, especially in poorer, working class areas, such as the East End of London. Across the country there was resentment over the increased taxation required to fund the police.
In some slum areas the police still had difficulties winning over the local population. In the ‘China’ district in Merthyr Tydfil several police officers were assaulted. One police officer noted, I went into China and there arrested ___ but he was taken from me by the mob and I was left senseless.
It was only in the 1850s that the ‘China’ area was able to be regularly patrolled by officers.