“Describe law and order in the late nineteenth century”
Before the Metropolitan police force was created, Bow street runners and Thames river police existed. Sir Robert Peel thought there was a need to create the M.E.T because there were increasing calls from the public to the Government to improve law and order as the police lacked organisation. Towns and cities were growing rapidly and crime was increasing, the old system could not cope. As London expanded economically and demographically in the 18th and 19th centuries, law and order became a political issue. It lead to the development of the police force as income tax was introduced and the government had funds for the police force and a better system could be set up.
The role of the police force was to prevent crime, not solve it. They were expected to patrol the streets of London and deal with drunkenness, beggars, vagrants and prostitutes. The M.E.T was unpopular amongst Londoners like the working class; this was because of their use of force and their association with the army, who were despised because of its readiness to use brutality against demonstrators. In order to distance itself from the army a new blue uniform was introduced, which ensured more acceptance. The M.E.T were armed with truncheon and cutlasses. Controversy surrounding the M.E.T continued due to unprofessional behaviour within the force, the reputation of the M.E.T was mainly bad because of its association with the army, and their use of force.