Extraordinary Stories of Britain
The Bow Street Runners - Law & Disorder in the 1700s
Published: 5 May 2026 at 07:09 Europe/London
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Episode notes
During the 1700s London was a lawless capital plagued by theft, violence and corruption. We tell the dramatic story of the Bow Street runners, Britain's first police force formed by Henry and John "the blind beak" Fielding. Hear how they brought thieves, and pickpockets to justice, and how the runners broke up a plot to behead the prime minster and his cabinet.
