Nightwalker statutes were English statutes, before modern policing, allowing or requiring night watchmen to arrest those found on the streets after sunset and hold them until morning.[1] Foremost among them was the Statute of Winchester of 1285, which was re-adopted or amended several times until its repeal in 1827. It stated that "if any stranger do pass by them, he shall be arrested until morning."[2] Such power was interpreted to extend not only to the watchmen themselves, but also to assistants, and allowed the arrest and detention of all persons.[3]
^Tomlins, Thomas Edlyne; Raithby, John (1810). Nightwalker Statute 1285 [13 Edw. I. - A.D. 1285 Chapter IV]. The Statutes of the Realm: Printed by Command of His Majesty King George the Third; in pursuance of an Address of the House of Commons of Great Britain. Vol. I. London, Great Britain: Dawson of Pall Mall. p. 97. OCLC426777557. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
