Which 18th century British novelist, also served as London's chief magistrate, helped found the Bow Street Runners in 1749?
Bow Street Runners Bow Street Runners The Bow Street Runners have been called London's first professional police force. The force originally numbered six men and was founded in 1749 by magistrate Henry Fielding, who was also well known as an author. "Bow Street runners" was the public's nickname for the officers, "although the officers never referred to themselves as runners, considering the term to be derogatory". The Bow Street group was disbanded in 1839. The Bow Street Runners are considered the first British police force. Before the force was founded, the law enforcing system was in the hands of private citizens and single
18th-century London architects such as John Nash. It would not be until the 19th century that the palace would become the principal London royal residence. A phenomenon of 18th-century London was the coffee house, which became a popular place to debate ideas. Growing literacy and the development of the printing press meant that news became widely available. Fleet Street became the centre of the embryonic British press during the century. Up until 1750, London Bridge was the only crossing over the Thames, but in that year Westminster Bridge was opened. The Bow Street Runners were established in 1749 as a professional police