Section D: the organisation of policing in Whitechapel

What was H Division?

The Metropolitan Police division responsible for policing Whitechapel in London during the Jack the Ripper period (1888).

Who ran H Division?

H Division was led by a superintendent and a chief inspector, supported by 27 inspectors and 37 sergeants (1888).

How many constables worked in H Division?

Around 500 constables patrolled the streets on the beat in Whitechapel (1888).

How many detectives worked in H Division?

There were only about 15 detectives responsible for investigating crime in Whitechapel (1888).

Why was H Division sometimes ineffective?

The division was overstretched and understaffed, meaning officers sometimes ignored minor crime and fights (1888).

What social tasks did H Division sometimes carry out?

Police sometimes escorted people to workhouses and helped organise soup kitchens for the poor (1880s).

Why were crime levels high in Whitechapel?

High poverty and unemployment in the East End led to higher levels of crime (1880s).

Why was policing rookeries difficult?

Rookeries had narrow alleyways, poor lighting, and many entrances and exits, making criminals hard to catch (1880s).

How common was prostitution in Whitechapel?

By 1888 there were about 62 brothels and around 1,200 prostitutes in the area.

Why were prostitutes vulnerable in Whitechapel?

Prostitutes often worked alone and were vulnerable to assault and murder, especially during the Jack the Ripper murders (1888).

Why did police often ignore illegal abortions?

Abortions were illegal but common due to lack of contraception, so police often turned a blind eye (1880s).

How common were pubs and gin palaces in Whitechapel?

On just one mile of Whitechapel Road there were about 45 pubs or gin palaces serving alcohol (1888).

Which gangs caused trouble in Whitechapel?

Gangs like the Bessarabian Tigers and the Odessians, made up of Eastern European immigrants, were active (1880s).

What was the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee?

A group of local businessmen and traders formed to help catch Jack the Ripper (10 September 1888).

Why was the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee formed?

Residents were frustrated by the police and by Home Secretary Henry Matthews refusing to offer a reward for the killer’s capture (1888).