In 1836 Wellington told the Parliamentary Commission on Military Punishments that

'It is well known that I have hundreds of times prevented the most serious offences by ordering the men to appear with their side arms. When I found any great disorder going on, the first thing I did, was to order that all the men much appear, if they appeared in the street at all, in their side arms, that was the first thing. I then ordered that the rolls be called every hour...' (Parliamentary Papers p 325)

Can someone tell me why ordering men to appear with their side arms reduced disorder and crime? There is clearly some simple explanation or connection, but I'm missing it.

Rory