Trends in Crime During the Industrial Period

What was crime like in industrial Britain?

Rapid social and economic changes in Britain during the industrial period affected opportunities for crime and the types of crime that were committed. Overall, crime rates rose.

What types of crime were there in industrial Britain?

There were 4 key facts to note about changing patterns of criminal behaviour:

• ❖ Minor theft still accounted for 75% of recorded crime.
• ❖ Only 10% of crimes involved violence. Murders were rare.
• ❖ Key crimes from the early modern period, such as witchcraft and treason, declined.
• ❖ However, crimes against the person, property and authority all increased.

What new crimes were there in industrial Britain?

During the industrial period 3 key crimes became more prominent and caused more concern to society:

• ❖ Highway robbery.
• ❖ Smuggling.
• ❖ Poaching.

What crimes declined in the industrial period in Britain?

By the 18th and 19th centuries 3 key crimes from the early modern period declined:

• ❖ Cases of heresy declined as the religious uncertainty of the Reformation had passed. The last execution for heresy took place in 1612.
• ❖ There were fewer cases of vagabondage. As more people became wealthier, the fear of vagabonds greatly reduced.
• ❖ Cases of witchcraft declined as more people became educated. They were less likely to believe such accusations, and in 1736 the witchcraft laws were finally repealed by King George II.

What crimes against the person increased in 18th century industrial Britain?

The number of highwaymen increased. They attacked travellers, who were forced by threats or violence to hand over valuable possessions.

What was the definition of smuggling as a crime in industrial Britain?

There were increasing numbers of smugglers in the industrial period. Smuggling involved sneaking foreign goods into the country without paying the import duties (or taxes) on them.

What kind of crime was poaching in industrial Britain?

Poachers committed property crimes by hunting illegally on private land. This had been mostly tolerated since Norman society and viewed as a 'social' crime, but it became a growing problem in the industrial period.

What kind of crime was garrotting in industrial Britain?

Garrotting involved partially strangling a victim so he or she could be easily robbed. There were several high-profile cases in 1861, and in 1862 an MP was garrotted near the House of Commons.