Why were bow street runners ineffective?

Answer 1

The Bow Street Runners were often considered ineffective due to their limited resources and lack of formal authority, which restricted their ability to enforce the law effectively. They relied heavily on voluntary cooperation from the public and often faced challenges in gathering evidence and making arrests. Additionally, their operations were hampered by the absence of a structured policing system, which meant they could not consistently maintain order or respond to crime comprehensively. Their effectiveness varied greatly depending on the individual runners and the specific circumstances of each case.