A Certain Share of Low Cunning : A History of the Bow Street Runners, 1792-1839

This book provides an account and analysis of the history of the Bow Street Runners, precursors of today's police force. Through a detailed analysis of a wide range of both qualitative and quantitative research data, this book provides a fresh insight into their history, arguing that the use of Bow Street personnel in provincially instigated cases was much more common than has been assumed by many historians. It also demonstrates that the range of activities carried out by Bow Street personnel whilst employed on such cases was far more complex than can be gleaned from the majority of books and articles concerning early nineteenth-century provincial policing, which often do little more than touch on the role of Bow Street. By describing the various roles and activities of the Bow Street Principal Officers with specific regard to cases originating in the provinces it also places them firmly within the wider contexts of provincial law-enforcement and policing history. The book investigates the types of case in which the 'Runners' were involved, who employed them and why, how they operated, including their interaction with local law-enforcement bodies, and how they were perceived by those who utilized their services. It also discusses the legacy of the Principal Officers with regard to subsequent developments within policing. Bow Street Police Office and its personnel have long been regarded by many historians as little more than a discrete and often inconsequential footnote to the history of policing, leading to a partial and incomplete understanding of their work. This viewpoint is challenged in this book, which argues that in several ways the utilization of Principal Officers in provincially instigated cases paved the way for important subsequent developments in policing, especially with regard to detective practices. It is also the first work to provide a clear distinction between the Principal Officers and their less senior colleagues. "The Bow Street Runners are widely regarded as the most important precursors to today's police force. However, although their name remains well known, the details of much of their history remain obscure. This book aims to tell their story. Through a detailed analysis of a wide range of research data, this book argues that the use of Bow Street personnel in provincially instigated cases was much more common than has been assumed by many historians, many of whom barely touch on the role of Bow Street. It provides a fascinating account of the roles and activities of the Bow Street Principal Officers in relation to cases originating in the provinces, not only bringing the subjects of this book to life but also placing them firmly within the wider contexts of provincial law-enforcement and policing history." "The book reveals the activities of the Bow Street Police Office, investigating the types of case in which the 'Runners' were involved, who employed them and why, how they operated, including their interaction with local law-enforcement bodies, and how they were perceived by those who utilized their services. It is also the first work to provide a clear distinction between the Principal Officers and their less senior colleagues." "A Certain Share of Low Cunning challenges the view of many historians who regard the Bow Street Police Office and its personnel as a discrete and sometimes inconsequential footnote to the history of policing, leading to a partial and incomplete understanding of their work. It argues that in several ways the utilization of Principal Officers in provincially instigated cases paved the way for important developments in policing, especially with regard to detective practices. It will be essential reading for anybody interested in the history of policing and crime." --Book Jacket What Else Works? has developed out of a growing awareness amongst practitioners that centralized notions of what works and ‘one size fits all’ approaches to work with offenders and other groups is inevitably limited in its scope and effectiveness. The book seeks to dispel the view of probation service users as 'offenders', and socially excluded people as 'problems' to be managed and treated, and instead considers more creative alternatives to reduce both re-offending and social exclusion. These include working separately with women, black and minority ethnic groups, local community-focussed projects, in education and nature and conservation programmes. The reader is encouraged to think about past and current policy, practice, and the relationship between practitioners and offenders or other socially excluded people. Questions are raised as to whether, and how, practice could be different and contributors explore the theme of creative and change-focussed practice or focus on a particular approach to a practice. This book will appeal to students on criminal justice, criminology and social work courses, professionals operating in these fields as well as the wider audience of professionals and academics who may engage with these ‘service users’ from a range of policy and practice perspectives. This book has developed out of a growing awareness amongst practitioners that centralized notions of what works and 'one size fits all' approaches to work with offenders and other groups is inevitably limited in its scope and effectiveness. This realisation reopens the door on 'what works, with whom and in what circumstances', i.e. the idea that successful intervention can come from a number of different approaches, linked to individual difference. The book as a whole argues that it may be unhelpful to continually think of probation service users as 'offenders' and socially excluded people as .. David J. Cox. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 242-272) And Index.