The nature of crime and policing has changed considerably in the 20th century. Using South Wales as a case study, this text places the discussion in its historical context, and contributes to debates on crime, policing and punishment. South Wales has the geography of a county police, and some of the problems of a metropolitan police area. The local police force patrol isolated villages and market streets, old and new industral centres, seaport and seaside towns, and the large cities of Cardiff and Swansea.