�鶹������ҳ���

The Metropolitan Police led the way in improving policing methods, being followed by other forces around the country.

Specialisation

The Metropolitan Police set up a plain-clothes detective department in 1842. This was a significant development in methods of policing. These officers’ role was to:

• investigate crimes
• examine clues
• take evidence from scenes of crimes
• deal with witnesses and victims

As they were plain clothed, they could also go undercover to investigate crimes.

The Metropolitan Police set up the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in 1878, and by 1883 there were 800 CID officers. In 1884 the Special Investigation Branch, known as Special Branch, was set up. These changes were mostly implemented in response to the growing threat of terrorism at the time from groups such as the Irish Republican Brotherhood.

Technology

The telegraph was first used at Scotland Yard, the location of the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police, in 1867 to improve communications. In 1869, it was extended to other areas. In the late 19th century, the police increasingly used photography to help them in their work.

At first, 'mug shots' of suspects and criminals were taken. Later, photography developed to include images of the scenes of crimes, which could be used as evidence.

Records

The Criminal Records Office was set up by the Metropolitan Police in 1869. It compiled records on criminals, suspects and crimes.

The effectiveness of the police in the 19th century

Crime rates increased in the 19th century, but this did not mean the police were ineffective. The whole country now had a full-time, paid, trained, uniformed police force. The increasing specialisation and use of technology were making the police more effective at catching criminals and preventing crime.