Catching the Criminal

The Victorian period saw great changes in how people were caught, arrested and charged to appear in court. The police force, as we know it today, did not exist until 1856. Before then, most places had only an unpaid parish constable to keep order.

Most prosecutions were not carried out by the police, but by private individuals, normally the victims of the crime. Anyone who was thought to have committed a crime, was taken to the parish constable or magistrate by the person who caught them. Even in places where there was a proper police force, most prosecutions were still started by private citizens.

In 1885, the legal historian F.W. Maitland wrote, 'To speak of the English system as one of PRIVATE prosecutions is misleading. It is we who have PUBLIC prosecutions, for any one of the public may prosecute; abroad they have STATE prosecutions or OFFICIAL prosecutions.'

Further pages Making an Arrest in the Early 19th Century Until the mid-late 1900's, the responsibility for reporting crime and identifying and catching the culprits usually fell on the 'victim'. They would be aided by companions or a parish constable. Types of Offences The decision to commit a defendant to a court for trial was made by a magistrate. To which court they were sent, depended on the type of offence committed. Statements and Indictments Prior to any charge being brought, the victim, the witness and the accused would provide statements under oath in front of the magistrate. Remand or Bail While they were waiting for trial, prisoners could be remanded in custody (kept in the gaol) or given bail (pay money to guarantee that they would turn up for the trial). The Development of a Police Force The first policemen, known as 'Peelers' or 'Bobbies', were set up in London in 1829 by Robert Peel, the then Home Secretary, after 'The Metropolitan Police Act' of 1829. Arrest Police Regulations Rule 28 outlines how the police should be prepared, take details and arrest.

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