Police - Information, Everyday Tips

Police

The main Police Force in London is the Metropolitan Police, known colloquially as 'the Met'. It stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the City of London Police, whose responsibility is broadly the 'square mile' of the financial sector of London, also the British Transport Police and the Royal Parks Constabulary.

Both Forces support each and work together for the common cause of preventing and detecting crime.

The Met was founded by Sir Robert Peel in 1829, as result of which for many years policemen were known as 'Peelers'. Today the Met has 25,500 officers, 10,800 civil staff and 844 traffic wardens. It covers 620 square miles and serves a population of 7.2million.

The City of London Police have some 732 officers, with back-up from 325 civilians. It is renowned for its Fraud Squad, founded to deal with the particular irregularities that arise from the nature of its 'beat'.

In times of high security states and other priorities the Police are under considerable pressure. Nonetheless, one of their prime duties is the protection of the public in all ways and they are very good at it.

If you have a problem relevant to their duty of care, dial 999 and ask for Police. You will be asked to give fullest possible details and your recollections of a crime that has been committed could be of great value to the Police.