Towards the end of the 18th century the rise in crime raised serious concern about the lack of a nationwide police force
London's Metropolitan Police, established in 1829, led to the establishment of local police forces elsewhere
There was a pressing need by the middle of the 19th century for a nationally-organised police force
During the 18th century many of those in prison were only there because they owed money
During the 1770s Parliament took much interest in John Howard's ideas about prison reform
In the 1820s and 1830s Parliament began to regulate prisons on a national basis
Towards the end of the 19th century Parliament began to adopt new principles for the treatment of prisoners
Follow the major pieces of legislation which have placed police and prisons on a national footing