as a professional police force, whilst from 1798 a Marine Police Force tackled crime in the docks and Pool of London. Penalties for crime were harsh, with the death penalty being applied for fairly minor crimes. Public hangings were common in London, and were popular public events. In 1780, London was rocked by the Gordon Riots, an uprising by Protestants against Roman Catholic emancipation led by Lord George Gordon. Severe damage was caused to Catholic churches and homes, and 285 rioters were killed. See also George III William Pitt the Younger Kingdom of Great Britain East India Company Thirteen Colonies Colony of Jamaica Great Britain in the Seven Years' War British North America United Empire Loyalist History of Australia (1788–1850) Timeline of 18th century London References Further reading Published in the 18th century + index . + v.2, v.3 (Middlesex); v.4 (Herts, Essex & Kent) Published in the 20th century Published in the 21st century External links London Lives - A database hosting digital copies of Archival materials from 18th century London