Close Encounters of an Unprecedented Kind: Police and German Enemy Aliens in Britain during the First World War

Abstract The First World War introduced new tasks into British policing. One significant addition was the close and systematic surveillance of aliens residing in Britain, a role never before undertaken by police one that would previously have been considered un-English. During war, various official bodies participated regulation lives foreigners, but played crucial part. Foreigners hailing from enemy countries, particularly Germans, bore brunt attention, which can be described as nothing short discriminatory oppressive. This article examines responsibilities for controlling German nationals public response to It also assesses police's wartime performance implications their conduct these all has hitherto little explored. were widely considered, both large segments many other best force world, morally superior constabularies, especially relatively tolerant attitudes toward public. Their time national crisis, degree tolerance they exercised relations with hated, indeed outcast minority, offers an illuminating case study.