The Metropolitan Police Act 1829 (10 Geo. 4. c. 44) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, introduced by Sir Robert Peel, which established the Metropolitan Police. This was to be responsible for policing the newly created Metropolitan Police District, which consisted of the City of Westminster and parts of Middlesex, Surrey, and Kent, within seven miles of Charing Cross, apart from the City of London. It replaced a previously more diverse system of parish constables and watchmen. It is one of the Metropolitan Police Acts 1829 to 1895.[b]
| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act for improving the Police in and near the Metropolis. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 10 Geo. 4. c. 44 |
| Introduced by | Robert Peel |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 19 June 1829 |
| Commencement | 19 June 1829 |
| Other legislation | |
| Amended by | |
Status: Amended | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Text of the Metropolitan Police Act 1829 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
The Act
editThe Act was the enabling legislation for what is often considered to be the first modern police force, the "bobbies" or "peelers" (after Peel), which later served as the model for modern urban policing throughout Britain. Until the passage of the Act, the Statute of Winchester of 1285 was cited as the primary legislation regulating the policing of the country since the Norman Conquest.[1]
See also
editReferences
editCitations
edit- ^ Critchley, Thomas Alan (1978). A History of Police in England and Wales.
The Statute of Winchester was the only general public measure of any consequence enacted to regulate the policing of the country between the Norman Conquest and the Metropolitan Police Act, 1829…
Notes
edit- ^ The citation of this Act by this short title was authorised by the Short Titles Act 1896, section 1 and the first schedule. Due to the repeal of those provisions it is now authorised by section 19(2) of the Interpretation Act 1978.
- ^ The Short Titles Act 1896, section 2(1) and Schedule 2
Further reading
edit- Emsley, Clive (2018). Crime and Society in England, 1750–1900.
- Gash, Norman. Mr. Secretary Peel (1962) 1:477-507
- Harrison, Arch. "The English Police 1829-1856: Consensus or Conflict" International Journal of Police Science & Management 2 (1999): 175+
- Lyman, J. L (1964). "The Metropolitan Police Act of 1829: An Analysis of Certain Events Influencing the Passage and Character of the Metropolitan Police Act in England". Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology, and Police Science. 55 (1): 141–154 – via JSTOR.
External links
edit- Inspector Denning - Victorian Police in Westminster - UK Parliament Living Heritage
- Metropolitan Police Act 1829 on the UK Parliament website
- Metropolitan Police; Time Line 1829 - 1849
- Metropolitan police - Timeline 1829 to 1899
- learnhistory.org.uk Crime, Punishment and Protest Through Time, c.1450-2004