Source A: Police Reports on Industrial Crime

"During the late 1800s, the police faced numerous challenges in preventing and investigating crimes related to the rapid growth of factories and urban areas. Many officers believed that industrial criminals, such as counterfeiters, illegal workers, and thieves, were difficult to catch due to the complexity of their methods. Reports from the Metropolitan Police describe their efforts to patrol factory districts and enforce new laws, but also highlight the limitations of their resources and technology at the time. Some officers argued that the police were underfunded and understaffed, which hampered their ability to maintain law and order effectively in the expanding industrial towns.

Provenance: Police reports, Metropolitan Police, 1880s, official government documents.