Law & Order in the 20th & 21st Century (WJEC Eduqas GCSE History): Revision Note

How Much Has Policing Really Changed in the 20th and 21st Centuries? -Summary 

Although policing has developed through modern technology, specialist units, and improved training, its core purpose and powers have largely remained the same. Police officers still work to prevent and investigate crime, maintain public order, and protect communities, just as they did in earlier centuries. They continue to use key powers such as arrest, search, detention, and issuing fines, and deal with both minor and serious offences.

The structure of policing has become more organised and professional, and technology such as radios, DNA evidence, and CCTV has improved efficiency. However, the principles of law enforcement, public safety, and community cooperation remain. Despite changes in recruitment, transport, and diversity, modern policing continues to reflect its traditional purpose: to uphold the law and preserve peace in an ever-changing society.

The Changing Nature of Policing

• There have been some considerable changes to policing in the 20th and 21st Centuries, including: 

  • The structure 

  • Prevention of crimes 

  • Police recruitment 

  • Transport

  • Use of technology 

  • Specialisation 

  • Community policing 

Structure 

• In 1900, there were 234 separate forces 

  • The Police Act of 1946 merged smaller town police forces, reducing the number to 117

  • In 1964, this was reduced again to 47 

  • Today, there are 43 police forces in England and Wales 

• A Chief Constable is the head of each police force 

  • They work alongside the Association of Chief Police Officers to coordinate their forces 

• All police forces use the National Police Computer 

  • Created in 2016 

Prevention of crimes

• 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 by 

  • Conducting risk and threat assessments 

    • Police attempt to predict where crimes might happen 

    • Criminal profiles help to identify criminals 

  • Offering advice 

    • Crime Prevention Officers (CPOs) advise people on crime prevention and security 

    • Advising on locks and alarms to prevent burglary 

  • Dealing with issues that lead to crime 

    • Police attend events that might result in crime

    • Anti-social behaviour, such as drunkenness, especially in large crowds at sporting events

  • Building relationships with communities 

    • Police maintain links with neighbourhood watch members 

  • Working with schools 

    • Educating young people on how to avoid crime and the risk factors 

Police Recruitment 

• To attract and retain more police officers, the government provided

  • Pay increases

  • Pensions 

  • A reasonable retirement age of between 55 and 60  

• In 1947, a National Police College was created to train police officers 

  • All recruits attend 14 weeks of basic training 

Transport 

• In 1900, police officers completed their duties on foot 

  • They walked on average up to 20 miles a day 

• Since the Second World War, the police have used more modern forms of transport, such as 

  • Motorbikes 

  • Cars 

• In 1970, the Metropolitan police created its own Police Helicopter Unit 

• There have been many criticisms of the increase in police transport 

  • Many believe that they have taken the police off the streets and out of the community 

Use of Techonlogy 

• Advancements in science and technology have changed and improved policing by 

  • Communication 

    • Two-way radios provide instant communication between police officers 

    • The emergency 999 number has allowed the public to report a crime 

  • Pepper spray and CS gas

    • Allows the police to have greater control over violent suspects and rioters 

  • Tools used to manage driving offences 

    • Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) 

    • Breathalysers 

    • Speed cameras

  • Equipment to identify and convict suspects 

    • Fingerprints

    • Blood samples 

    • DNA samples 

    • CCTV cameras 

Specialisation 

• Modern Britain has seen an increased emphasis on police training

  • Before serving as officers, 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

Community Policing 

• Modern Britain has seen a return to community law enforcement

• Unlike in the Anglo-Saxon era, community law enforcement is now voluntary

• Neighbourhood Watch

  • This organisation 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

Attitudes Towards the Police 

• Attitudes towards the police have fluctuated over time because

  • The police have enforced unpopular laws 

    • Such as making the use of mobile phones while driving illegal 

  • Some see the police as too powerful 

  • The police are sometimes accused of corruption, prejudice, racism, sexism, and homophobia towards victims and criminals 

    • In 2025, the Metropolitan Police scandal showed that there is still discrimination in the police force