What would the police do if they caught a poor Victorian on the street?

Answer 1

If the police caught a poor Victorian on the street, they might arrest them for vagrancy, as homelessness was often criminalized during that time. The individual could be taken to a workhouse or a police station, where they might face a brief detention or be given a fine. Additionally, the police may have sought to provide them with assistance, directing them to social services or charitable organizations, though this varied widely depending on the circumstances and the attitudes of the officers involved. Overall, the approach often reflected the social attitudes of the era, which were generally punitive towards the poor.