Punishment in Modern Britain

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New Technology to Detect Crime

Technology has led to huge changes in the way the police force in the UK both detects crime and deals with it.

Support for police officers

Police officers prior to 1900 walked the beat and had a whistle to attract attention to themselves and call for help.
In 1930 the two-way radio was introduced enabling Police Officers to communicate with each other easily.
Every officer carries a Pepper Spray or CS Gas which can be used in serious situations.

Identifying crime suspects

CCTV is now used to help prevent crime but also is used to identify and help convict suspects in criminal cases.
Since 1901 the police have used fingerprinting to identify suspects of crime. DNA testing and profiles have begun to be used more recently.
- The first murder conviction using DNA evidence was in 1988.

Responding to crime

Since the 1930’s vehicles have become a large part of police work as they allowed the police to respond to crime more quickly.

Organisation of the 20th Century Police Force

New schemes and organisations have been introduced over the last century to tackle new crimes as they are committed.

Neighbourhood Watches

There continues to be an element of community-based policing still today with Neighbourhood Watch schemes.
These were formally introduced in 1982.
- This enabled areas to assist in reporting crime and being vigilant regarding suspicious behaviour.

Training police officers

Since 1947 all new recruits have undertaken 14 weeks of basic training at the National Police Training College.
Local force based training continues once the initial training is complete.

Women in the police force

Women were permitted to join the police in 1920 and there has been a steady rise in female officers ever since.

Databases

The Police National Computer was established in 1974 as a central database for all information like fingerprints, vehicle registrations and missing persons.
Officers can access the information 24 hours a day.

Specialised police units

Due to the changing nature of crime in the 20th century, specialised police units have been established.
Highly trained officers focus on a particular area of criminal activity, for example, the Fraud Squad, counter-terror units, dog-handling units and the Drugs Squad.

1Medieval England, 1000-1500

1.1Changing Definition of Crime in Medieval England

1.1.1Early Medieval Society

1.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment

1.2.1Enforcing the Law in Medieval Society

1.2.2Punishments in Medieval England

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Early Medieval Society

1.3Case Studies From 1000-1500

1.3.1The Church

1.3.2End of Topic Test - The Church

1.3.3Grade 9 - Medieval England

2Early Modern England, 1500-1700

2.1Changing Definitions of Crime

2.1.1Early Modern Society

2.1.2Crime in the Early Modern Period

2.1.3End of Topic Test - Early Modern Crime

2.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment

2.2.1Punishments in Early Modern Society

2.2.2Law Enforcement in Early Modern Society

2.2.3End of Topic Test - Early Modern Law Enforcement

2.2.4Grade 9 - Early Modern England

2.3Case Studies From 1500-1700

2.3.1Key Individuals

2.3.2End of Topic Test - Case Studies 1500-1700

2.3.3Grade 9 - Case Studies From 1500-1700

318th & 19th Century Britain

3.1Changing Definition of Crime in Industrial Britain

3.1.1Society in Industrial Britain

3.1.2Crime in Industrial Britain

3.1.3End of Topic Test - Crime in Industrial Britain

3.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment

3.2.1Punishment in Industrial Society

3.2.2Punishment in Industrial Society 2

3.2.3Policing in the Industrial Period

3.2.4End of Topic Test - Punishment

3.3Case Studies From 1700-1900

3.3.1Changes to the Prison System

3.3.2End of Topic Test - Case Studies From 1700-1900

3.3.3Grade 9 - 18th & 19th Century

4Modern Britain, 1900-Present

4.1Changing Definition of Crime in Modern Britain

4.1.1Society in Modern Britain

4.1.2Crime in Modern Britain

4.1.3End of Topic Test - Crime in Modern Britain

4.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment

4.2.1Punishment in Modern Britain

4.2.2Attitudes Towards Punishment

4.2.3Capital Punishment

4.2.4End of Topic Test - Punishment in Modern Britain

4.2.5Grade 9 - Modern Britain

4.3Case Studies 1900-2000

4.3.1Modern Britain Case Studies

4.3.2End of Topic Test - Modern Britain Case Studies

4.3.3Grade 9 - Case Studies 1900-2000

5Whitechapel Local Study

5.1The Geographical Area & Living Conditions

5.1.1Accommodation in Whitechapel

5.1.2Living Conditions

5.1.3End of Topic Test - Whitechapel Local Study

5.2The People of Whitechapel

5.2.1Alcohol & Immigration

5.2.2Prostitution

5.2.3Racial Tensions

5.2.4End of Topic Test - The People of Whitechapel

5.2.5Grade 9 - Whitechapel

5.3Policing in Whitechapel

5.3.1The Police Force in Whitechapel

5.3.2Jack the Ripper

5.3.3Challenges Facing the Police

5.3.4End of Topic Test - Policing in Whitechapel

5.3.5Grade 9 - Policing Whitechapel

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