Crime and punishment in 18th- and 19th-century Britain - EdexcelFactors affecting crime and punishment, c.1700-c.1900

• Britain experienced significant social change in the period c.1700 to c.1900.
• This was because of the development of cities and industry during the Industrial Revolution, and a rapidly growing population.
• These new circumstances led to changes in crime, punishment and policing across Britain.

The Industrial Revolution and the need for a police force

• It is argued that the Industrial Revolution in Britain began towards the end of the 18th century and ended in the early 19th century.
• Many people moved to cities for work, leaving rural jobs in farming and agriculture.
• By the end of the 19th century, most people in Britain were employed in factories and workshops. Cities were now the main centres of production.

Cities became overcrowded, which increased crime and the need for a police force. By 1900, London had a population of 4.5 million. Other cities were growing in size across Britain too, including Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester.

Growth of the population in towns and cities

The growth of towns and cities from the 18th century led to an increase in their population. The British people were no longer scattered across the countryside but focused in cities and towns.

Some parts of cities such as London became overcrowded and attracted crimes such as petty theft and pickpocketing. The people who committed these crimes were often called the ‘criminal underclass’. In the busy town and city centres, those who committed these crimes were not as easily noticed as they would have been in the past.

Growth of technology and science

The Industrial Revolution led to developments in technology and science. Travel benefitted from these developments and by the 1840s the railway became a major form of travel. Trains were much faster than canal or roads. They also gradually became cheaper, so more people in Britain could use them.

The role of government

Throughout most of the 18th and 19th centuries, the government had adopted a laissez-faire approach to crime. According to this approach, it was believed that the government shouldn’t interfere too much in people’s everyday lives.

However, by the mid-19th century, this began to change. People began to accept that it was the role of government to keep people safe and protect them from crime. During these years, national government began to pass new legislation that led to changes in the punishment of criminals and the system of policing across Britain.