ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the interconnected relationship between Plymouth’s local elites whose everyday judicial and civic judgments were made to manage low-level anti-social behaving. It argues that such decisions were influenced by moral and pragmatic attitudes and opinions as they managed the activities of everyday offenders and problem drinkers. Plymouth’s unique position as a commercial and naval port divided into the Three Towns permits comparisons to be drawn in respect of such responses. It argues that judgments made by the local magistracy, the police, Watch Committees, Poor Law Guardians, clergy and concerned philanthropists were typically underpinned by a strong sense of moral duty influenced by powerful local temperance agendas.
