Crime and Punishment

Before the nineteenth century the provision of police forces throughout Britain had been disorderly. Constables were usually elected to their positions and they were not held in very high esteem. Those appointed as constables were required to prevent all crimes in whatever way they could.

However, the Municipal Corporation Act of 1835 and the Rural Constabulary Act of 1839 made it possible for councils nationwide to establish and maintain a permanent police force. By 1856, it was compulsory for all counties to have their own force which was controlled by local councillors and magistrates. These acts led to borough forces being founded in urban areas throughout Shropshire, such as the Bridgnorth force which was established in 1836. The photo of the force above was taken around 1880. At this time the Police force in the borough consisted of five officers, a Chief Constable, Sergeant and three Constables. The pay lists show that in 1877 total net salaries for the officers amounted to £7.3s.4d a week, the chief constable earning £2.5s

In addition to the borough forces a rural force was formed to police the countryside. This was known as the Shropshire Constabulary and was made up of six divisions who were each responsible for different parts of the county. By 1879 this force consisted of almost 200 men and over the next ten years a further 150 were recruited.

In 1887 the county force was further divided to oversee Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Whitchurch, Wellington, Bridgnorth, Church Stretton, Pontesbury and Burford. Each of these were under the control of their own superintendent. The following year the borough forces were abolished under an act of government.

During the nineteenth century, therefore, a more organised approach to policing evolved. This had a marked effect on the crime rate which fell by almost 50% in the second half of the century.

Despite this more organised approach to policing, other bodies still existed which were designed to fight crime. Many privately run groups were set up to deal with petty crimes and acts of vandalism. These groups offered cash rewards for information on crimes that had been committed. They also paid the expenses needed to prosecute offenders in court. Many of these groups existed in Shropshire, such as the Newport Association for the Prosecution of Felons.