Housing, Overcrowding and Crime in Whitechapel

This section explains Housing, Overcrowding and Crime in Whitechapel, c.1870-1900. Whitechapel, located in the East End of London, just outside the City of London, became infamous by the end of the 19th century for its extreme poverty, widespread discontent, high rates of alcoholism, a thriving sex work industry, and high levels of crime. It was an area where large portions of the population lived in desperate conditions, with limited opportunities for work and very little support for the poor.

Between 1870 and 1900, Whitechapel was home to a variety of people. While some residents lived relatively comfortable lives, the majority of the population consisted of the unemployed and the extremely poor, many of whom lived in overcrowded and unsanitary housing.

Overcrowding in Whitechapel

A report from the medical officer of health in 1873 revealed the shocking level of overcrowding in Whitechapel, with 189 people living in each acre of land, compared to only 45 people per acre across the rest of London. This overcrowding created an environment where diseases spread rapidly, and the poor living conditions contributed to a constant struggle for survival.

Rookeries: The Heart of Whitechapel’s Slums

One of the most notorious features of Whitechapel was the presence of rookeries. These were areas of dense, overcrowded lodging houses where the poorest people lived in extremely cramped conditions. Lodging houses, sometimes called ‘doss houses’, were often little more than squalid shelters with poor sanitation and very few amenities. In these places, up to three people might share a small apartment, sleeping on the same bed or the floor. It was common for whole families to squeeze into a single room.

By the late 19th century, there were approximately 233 common lodging houses in Whitechapel, which housed around 8,000 people. Many of these people would pay for a bed for just one or two nights, often working each day to earn enough money to pay for their next night’s stay. One such notorious area was Flower and Dean Street, which became infamous for its terrible living conditions. The houses here were often derelict, with outside toilets and makeshift indoor facilities, which caused awful smells and contributed to the spread of disease. Flower and Dean Street was home to a variety of people, including thieves, drunkards, and sex workers, and it became an area so dangerous that even the police were fearful of entering.

A report from the 1871 Census found that there were 902 lodgers staying in just 31 lodging houses on Flower and Dean Street, illustrating the scale of overcrowding.

The Whitechapel Workhouse: A Last Resort

For those who could not afford the costs of lodging houses, or who were sick, elderly, or young, the Whitechapel Workhouse offered a place to stay, though it was often seen as a last resort. The workhouses had very strict rules, and life within them was harsh. The inmates were given basic meals consisting of porridge, cheese, bread, and potatoes, and in some cases, occasional meat. Workhouse inmates were forced to work for their accommodation, doing tasks such as breaking stones, chopping wood, or picking oakum (tearing apart old ropes). Workhouse life was humiliating and physically demanding, with long hours, poor food, and terrible sanitary conditions.

Inmates were also subject to separation, with families split up, and adults and children allowed to meet only once a day. The rules were meant to deter people from using the workhouse system, as it was seen as a drain on the taxpayers. The Whitechapel workhouse was located at South Grove, and it was notorious for its poor conditions.

The workhouse also contained a ‘casual ward’, located on St Thomas’ Street, which could accommodate 60 people who only needed a bed for one night. This ward was equally grim, with the expectation that people would work to earn their bed for the night. The harsh conditions were a direct response to the growing problem of poverty in the area, but for many, it was the only option available.

The Peabody Estate: A Move Towards Better Housing

In 1879, the land on Royal Mint Street in Whitechapel, which had previously been home to many of the district’s worst lodging houses, was purchased by the Metropolitan Board of Works. The aim was to clear the slums and improve living conditions in the area. The land was eventually sold to the Peabody Trust, a charitable organisation established by George Peabody, an American banker.

The Peabody Trust had the goal of providing affordable, better-quality housing for the poor, and in 1881, 287 flats were built on the site. These flats were designed to offer better living conditions than the slums, with improved ventilation, brick walls (which prevented lice from living in the walls), shared courtyards, and shared bathrooms with a bath and kitchen. Rent for the new flats started at three shillings per week for a one-room flat and six shillings for a three-room flat. This was affordable for many workers, who earned about 22 shillings per week.

Despite the improvements, the rents on the Peabody Estate were still too high for some of the poorest in Whitechapel, and those who fell behind on payments were evicted. This contributed to the overcrowding elsewhere in the district as displaced tenants were forced to find other accommodation.

Links Between Housing, Overcrowding, and Crime

The overcrowded and squalid conditions in Whitechapel directly contributed to the district’s high crime rates. Unemployment, poverty, and the poor living conditions created a breeding ground for crime. The crime rate in Whitechapel was high, with common offences including petty theft, drunkenness, and assaults. For many residents, especially the poor, crime was a way to survive in an environment where employment opportunities were scarce, and life was extremely difficult.

A significant amount of crime was attributed to what was referred to as the ‘criminal underclass’ or ‘residuum’, a group of people who were seen as living off the labour of the hardworking population. Some believed this group was made up of people who had no intention of reforming and instead relied on crime to survive.

Alcoholism was also prevalent in Whitechapel, and it played a significant role in the area’s crime rate. Alcohol was often used as a coping mechanism by many people facing the struggles of unemployment, homelessness, and poverty. Alcohol abuse frequently led to arguments and assaults, and it made people more vulnerable to being victims of crime. Drunk individuals were often targeted by pickpockets, and their money or valuables would be stolen.

Conclusion

By the end of the 19th century, Whitechapel had become a symbol of the social issues facing Victorian London. Overcrowding, poverty, poor housing, and crime were deeply intertwined, and life for many in the district was a daily struggle for survival. The conditions in the slums and workhouses, combined with the lack of sufficient affordable housing, led to widespread desperation and contributed to high crime rates. Despite efforts like the Peabody Estate, which offered better living conditions for some, the overall situation in Whitechapel remained grim, and it would take many more years of reform before the conditions of the East End truly improved.