The Statute of Westminster formalized the practice in criminal justice and apprehension of criminals. The watch and ward system required townsmen to patrol the cities during the night, while the constables patrolled during the day. Those who did not serve were placed in the stocks. The hue and cry system served as alarm for the citizens of the town or city. When a criminal resisted the watchman cried out and the people of the town came to his aid. Enforcement of the hue and cry was brought about by the assize of arms, which required every male between fifteen and sixty years of age to keep a weapon in the home as a “harness to keep the peace.” Many merchants were not satisfied with the quality of the protection provided them, therefore they hired private police. These private police guarded their businesses, investigated crimes, and recovered stolen property. Oliver Cromwell attempted to use his army as a police force as a means of crime prevention. There was no effective police mechanism between the people and his army. Therefore, the people resisted and the watch and ward system remained the primary crime control procedure until the industrial revolution. The Industrial Revolution of England brought about many changes. Famine hit the rural community, forcing many into the cities to find jobs at mills and factories. Crime intensified within the cities brought on by the countless poverty stricken people trying to survive. Furthermore, Political extremists triggered angry mobs, which caused riots. Because there was no organized police to handle riots, a magistrate ordered the “Riot Act” and called in the military. In London, 1748 Henry Fielding was made the Chief Magistrate of Bow Street. During this period of time there was no police force. He was known for his leniency in dealing with petty theft. He also wrote and published pamphlets about the poverty in London, and the causes of the rising crime. Fielding ...
