The Causes of the Decline of Violent Crimes in Victorian London

Abstract

: Violent crimes have a long-term decline trend in London. In Victorian London, with the fast development of urbanization, the increasing number of rural people moved to London to pursue their fortune, it was thought that the urbanization would cause serious crimes. However, in London, the violent crimes did not increase, but on the contrary, they declined. This paper analyses the reasons that caused the decline of the violent crimes. Civilizing process, people’s changing attitude toward violent crimes, the change of male honor, the establishment of modern police system and the development of printing culture. All these elements worked together to cause the decline of violent crimes in Victorian London.