The early English police unit led by Henry Fielding was known as what?

• A. Night Watch
• B. Bow Street Runners
• C. Constables
• D. London Watch

Answer: (B)

The main idea is the birth of a formalized investigative force in 18th-century London. Henry Fielding, serving as a Bow Street magistrate, created a small, paid group to chase criminals and recover stolen property. This setup evolved into what people call Bow Street Runners—the first recognizable professional police-like unit in England, known for organized patrols, detective work, and helping to standardize police practices in the city. Their approach helped shift crime fighting from informal thief-taker networks to a more structured effort under magistrates, paving the way for later, more formal police forces.

Other terms don’t fit because Night Watch refers to older, medieval-era city watchmen rather than Fielding’s late‑plus‑early 18th‑century unit; Constables is a generic title for various peace officers rather than a specific group; and London Watch isn’t a historically recognized name for Fielding’s force. Bow Street Runners is the specific designation for this early organized unit.