Policing in Whitechapel in the Late 19th Century

This section explains policing in Whitechapel in the late 19th century. The policing of Whitechapel, an area in East London notorious for its high levels of poverty and crime in the late 19th century, was part of the broader Metropolitan Police Service, which was established in 1829. The force was divided into 20 divisions, with each responsible for a specific area of London. Whitechapel fell under the jurisdiction of H Division, which was tasked with maintaining order in one of the most challenging and volatile areas of the city.

The Organisation of Policing in Whitechapel

When new constables were recruited into the Metropolitan Police, they underwent a basic training process before being assigned to their duties. This included two weeks of drill exercises, such as marching and basic discipline, followed by one week of 'beat duty' alongside an experienced constable. This training aimed to familiarise recruits with their role, the area they would patrol, and the duties they would perform.

H Division: The Police of Whitechapel

H Division was responsible for maintaining law and order in Whitechapel, a district infamous for its overcrowded slums, high crime rates, and immigrant communities. At the head of H Division was the Superintendent Constable, who oversaw operations, supported by a Chief Inspector and a team of inspectors, sergeants, and constables. In 1885, H Division had a considerable workforce, including 27 inspectors, 37 sergeants, and approximately 500 constables. At its peak in 1888, there were 575 officers assigned to the area, tasked with managing a population of around 37,000 people in Whitechapel.

Leman Street Police Station was the main station for H Division, located in the heart of Whitechapel. Unfortunately, many of the records from this station have not survived. However, the 1881 Census lists two sergeants, 42 constables, and six prisoners at the station, providing some insight into the size and operations of the police force in the area.

The primary responsibilities of constables in H Division involved dealing with a wide range of crimes, most commonly disorderly behaviour, followed by crimes such as theft, fraud, and violent offences. Their duties were further complicated by the challenging social conditions in Whitechapel.

The Role of the Beat Constable

The beat constable was the most visible figure in maintaining order in Whitechapel. Constables patrolled specific areas known as 'beats,' and their primary aim was to prevent crime through a constant, visible presence. They were also responsible for arresting offenders and ensuring public safety.

A beat constable's uniform consisted of:

• Woollen trousers and a dark blue-black jacket with shiny buttons.
• A custodian helmet, designed to protect the constable from a downward blow.
• A truncheon for self-defence and subduing offenders.
• Handcuffs, used to restrain suspects.
• An oil-fired bull’s-eye lamp, which not only provided light but also emitted heat, helping the constable to keep warm and allowing him to approach suspects unnoticed in the dark.
• A black and white striped armband to signal that the constable was on duty.

Constables were assigned specific routes to patrol, often on foot, and expected to follow precise instructions regarding the pace of their walking, the routes they took, and the places they were to visit. Constables were expected to visit specific places at designated times to ensure they could be reached by their sergeant if needed. If they missed a crime or were found off their beat without a valid reason, they could be fined or dismissed.

The Development of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)

In 1870, Commissioner Edmund Henderson recognised the need for a more specialised approach to dealing with crime and decided to recruit additional detectives to work alongside the regular constables. By 1877, these detectives were organised into a new department called the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), based at Scotland Yard.

The CID was focused on detective work and crime investigation rather than routine patrol duties. Detectives in the CID worked in plain clothes and used their local knowledge of Whitechapel and its inhabitants to gather intelligence, follow suspects, and track down criminals. Their day-to-day responsibilities included:

• Monitoring repeat offenders and individuals suspected of committing serial crimes.
• Supervising criminals who had been released from prison early for good behaviour.
• Observing communities, gathering information, and working with local police officers to solve crimes.

The introduction of the CID marked a shift towards more professional and investigative policing, although it faced significant challenges in Whitechapel, where crime was rampant and public trust in the police was low.

The Difficulties of Policing in Whitechapel

Whitechapel’s high levels of poverty, unemployment, and overcrowding created numerous challenges for the police. Many areas in Whitechapel were densely packed with slums and narrow, dark alleys, making it easy for criminals to escape after committing a crime. There was also widespread social discontent, especially among the immigrant communities who were often treated with suspicion and distrust.

Slums and the Rookeries

The slums of Whitechapel, known as rookeries, were overcrowded, unsanitary, and poorly lit. These conditions made it difficult for constables to patrol effectively, as criminals could easily hide in the dark alleys and escape notice. The narrow streets and dense housing also made it harder for the police to track down suspects or intervene before crimes were committed.

Alcohol and Crime

Alcohol played a major role in the social problems of Whitechapel. Many pubs and gin houses were located on nearly every street corner, and drinking was a common pastime for many working-class residents. Alcohol often fueled violent disputes, particularly among men, and led to people becoming vulnerable to becoming victims of crime. Witnesses, many of whom were intoxicated, were often unreliable, making it difficult for constables to gather evidence or get useful information about crimes.

Prostitution and Vulnerability

While prostitution (or sex work) was not illegal, it was a major social issue in Whitechapel, where many women were driven to sex work by poverty, alcoholism, or coercion. The lack of economic opportunities for women in Whitechapel meant that sex work was often a desperate option. By 1888, it was estimated that there were 62 brothels and about 1,200 sex workers in the area.

Women involved in sex work were especially vulnerable to violent attacks, including rape and murder, and often found themselves involved in petty crimes like theft to survive. Despite the dangers, these women received little sympathy from the authorities. The police, for the most part, ignored their plight and tended to turn a blind eye to the violence and exploitation they faced. The Jack the Ripper murders in 1888, which targeted women in prostitution, highlighted the police's failure to protect vulnerable women.

Gangs and Criminal Activities

Organised gangs were a significant problem in Whitechapel, and they were involved in illegal activities like unlicensed boxing matches and protection rackets. Gangs such as the Bessarabian Tigers and Odessians operated in the area, often preying on immigrants, who were reluctant to report crimes due to language barriers and their mistrust of the police. The gangs would extort money from local shopkeepers and stallholders, and those who refused to pay were threatened or attacked.

The police force in H Division was often undermanned, making it difficult to address the rising gang violence or shut down illegal activities. This created a sense of lawlessness and reinforced the public perception that the police were ineffective in tackling organised crime.

Tensions and Public Perception of the Police

The police were widely mistrusted by the communities in Whitechapel, particularly the immigrant populations. Anti-Semitism was prevalent, especially towards the Jewish communities, who were often scapegoated for crime. Many Jewish people spoke Yiddish rather than English, which made communication with the police difficult. Additionally, due to their experiences with oppressive law enforcement in Eastern Europe, many Jewish migrants did not trust the police and preferred to resolve disputes within their own communities.

Public attitudes towards the police were also shaped by economic hardship and unemployment. The police were seen as enforcers of government policies that often made life more difficult for the poor. During public protests or strikes, the police were often seen as the enforcers of state power, and violent clashes between police and protesters were common. Despite this, the police in Whitechapel did provide some welfare services, such as soup kitchens and assistance for homeless children, but these were not enough to overcome the growing resentment towards the force.

Conclusion

Policing in Whitechapel was fraught with challenges. Overcrowded slums, high levels of crime, social unrest, and a distrustful and diverse population made law enforcement extremely difficult. Despite efforts to professionalise the police force, such as the creation of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), H Division was undermanned and unable to cope with the social problems that plagued the area. The difficult conditions in Whitechapel created a hostile environment for both the police and the people they were supposed to protect.