This is Volume IV in the Official History of Criminal Justice in England and Wales, and examines the changing politics of law and order, charting the gradual shift toward greater political conflict and dispute.

David Downes is Professor Emeritus of Social Policy and a member and former director of the Mannheim Centre for Criminology and Criminal Justice at the London School of Economics, UK.

Tim Newburn is Professor of Criminology and Social Policy at the London School of Economics, UK.

1. Introduction Part One: The Changing Politics of Law and Order 2. The Politics of Law and Order in a Changing Society, 1945-1970 3. The Rise of Law and Order Politics, 1970-1979 4. Talking Tough: Law and Order Politics, 1979-1992 5. British Politics of Law and Order, 1992-1997: Walking the Walk Part Two: Explaining the Trends 6. Leaving the Past Behind 7. Pressure-Group and Interest-Group Politics 8. Matters of Scandal and Concern 9. Conclusion Part Three 10. Postscript: Law and Order Politics 1997-2010