<P> By comparison, in 1801 the population of England and Wales was 9 million; by 1851 it had more than doubled to 18 million, and by the end of the century had reached 40 million . Today, Bangladeshis form the largest minority population in Tower Hamlets, constituting 33.5% of the borough's population at the 2001 census; the Bangladeshi community there is the largest such community in Britain . The 2006 estimates show a decline in this group to 29.8% of the population, reflecting a movement to better economic circumstances and the larger houses available in the eastern suburbs . In this, the latest group of migrants are following a pattern established for over three centuries . </P> <P> The high levels of poverty in the East End have, throughout history, corresponded with a high incidence of crime . From earliest times, crime depended, as did labour, on the importing of goods to London, and their interception in transit . Theft occurred in the river, on the quayside and in transit to the City warehouses . This was why, in the 17th century, the East India Company built high - walled docks at Blackwall and had them guarded to minimise the vulnerability of their cargoes . Armed convoys would then take the goods to the company's secure compound in the City . The practice led to the creation of ever - larger docks throughout the area, and large roads to drive through the crowded 19th century slums to carry goods from the docks . </P> <P> No police force operated in London before the 1750s . Crime and disorder were dealt with by a system of magistrates and volunteer parish constables, with strictly limited jurisdiction . Salaried constables were introduced by 1792, although they were few in number and their power and jurisdiction continued to derive from local magistrates, who in extremis could be backed by militias . In 1798, England's first Marine Police Force was formed by magistrate Patrick Colquhoun and a Master Mariner, John Harriott, to tackle theft and looting from ships anchored in the Pool of London and the lower reaches of the river . Its base was (and remains) in Wapping High Street . It is now known as the Marine Support Unit . </P> <P> In 1829, the Metropolitan Police Force was formed, with a remit to patrol within 7 miles (11 km) of Charing Cross, with a force of 1,000 men in 17 divisions, including' H' division, based in Stepney . Each division was controlled by a superintendent, under whom were four inspectors and sixteen sergeants . The regulations demanded that recruits should be under thirty - five years of age, well built, at least 5 - foot - 7 - inch (1.70 m) in height, literate and of good character . </P>

What was the eastend of london like in 1888