Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2024

First exams 2026

Law Enforcement in Modern Britain (Edexcel GCSE History)

Revision Note

Test yourself Flashcards

Written by: Natasha Smith

Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett

Law Enforcement in Modern Britain - Timeline & Summary

Timeline of major milestones in police history from 1901 to 2002, including the use of fingerprints, the first female and openly gay recruit, and the introduction of DNA evidence.

Modern Britain has seen science and technology develop at a remarkable pace. These changes have increased both the range and complexity of crimes. They have also led to changes in police work. Police now have new and improved ways of responding to and handling crimes. The police force itself has also specialised. Officers are now trained to acquire expertise in specific areas.

Alongside catching criminals, police are now expected to do more to prevent crime. They do this by working with the public and encouraging community law enforcement. However, modern police still face criticism. Some believe they do not adequately represent the communities they police. This has led forces like the Met to pursue more inclusive recruitment policies.

Changes to Policing: New Science and Technology

Advancements in science and technology have changed and improved policing

An illustration titled "The Impact of Science and Technology on Policing" shows tools for communication, controlling suspects, handling crime, transport, and identification. — **An illustration showing the impact of new science and technology on policing in modern Britain**

Changes to Policing: Specialisation and Representation

Specialisation

Modern Britain has seen an increased emphasis on police training
- Before serving as officers, new recruits receive
  - Around 18-22 weeks of classroom training
  - Practical training
Every police force now has its own special branch
- These branches respond to national terror and security threats
- Officers in these branches receive specialised training in
  - Using tasers and firearms
  - Riding police horses or motorbikes
There are several other specialist police units or squads

A flowchart of specialist police units detailing functions: Fraud Squad, Counter Terrorism, Dog Handlers, Drug Squads, and Bomb Squad; includes roles and activities. — **A diagram including some examples of specialist police units**

Representation

Since 1900, representation in the police has gradually improved

Representation in the police force since 1900

Women	Homosexuals	Ethnic minorities
During the First World War, women in the police force were volunteers and matrons. After the First World War, women became official police recruits. Initially, they were not given the same duties or powers of arrest as their male counterparts. They mostly dealt with issues involving women and children. This changed over the following decades as gender equality increased Between March 2016 and March 2020, the number of female police officers in England and Wales increased by 2.6%	Harry Daley was the first openly gay British policeman. He joined the Metropolitan Police in 1925 when homosexuality was illegal. Though he faced some discrimination at work, Daley considered his colleagues largely tolerant There is now a National LGBT+ Police Network. It is made up of male and female police officers working towards equality, diversity and inclusion in the police	In 1968, Sislin Fay Allen became the first black female police officer in the Met and the UK. She decided to apply after seeing a recruitment advert for male and female officers In 2020, 9.4% of Met Police officers were black or Asian. Since 2021, the Met has been aiming for 30% of its new recruits to be from ethnic minority backgrounds (excluding white minorities)

Community Law Enforcement and Neighbourhood Watch

Modern Britain has seen a return to community law enforcement
Unlike in the Anglo-Saxon era, community law enforcement is now voluntary
Neighbourhood Watch
- Was set up at a time when crime was increasing
- Based on a similar scheme in the USA
- It is now Britain’s largest voluntary crime-prevention movement
  - Around 2.3 million households in England and Wales are involved

A diagram illustrating the main aims of Neighbourhood Watch: raising awareness of crime, encouraging neighbours to look out for one another, helping police, and making communities safer. — **A concept map listing the main aims of Neighbourhood Watch**

Changing Roles in Policing: Prevention

When police were first introduced, their role was to deter and catch criminals by
- Patrolling the streets
- Investigating crimes
- Arresting suspects
Modern police have a similar role, but they also increasingly focus on crime prevention

A diagram titled "How Modern Police Help to Prevent Crime" with five sections: Conducting risk and threat assessments, Offering advice, Dealing with issues that might lead to crime, Building relationships with communities, and Working with schools. — **A diagram showing some of the different ways in which modern police help to prevent crime**

Worked Example

Explain one way in which policing was different in modern Britain to policing in 19th-century Britain

4 marks

Answers:

In modern Britain, new science and technology are used by the police to catch criminals (1). DNA and fingerprints became new forms of evidence for police to charge suspects (1). In the 19th century, evidence was collected by detectives who investigated serious crimes (1). Evidence was mainly collected from witness statements, tips and interviews (1).

Examiner Tips and Tricks

When talking about new science and technology, remember to mention how it changed police work (rather than only focusing on how it made it faster or more efficient)

Last updated: 30 July 2024

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