Metropolitan police how many

He argued, quite reasonably that London of today, with its 5,, inhabitants and police to protect them, is in far worse case than the London of , when 2,, persons had an available strength of police to look after their safety The facts and figures he adduces in proof of the necessity of a considerable augmentation may be commended to the thoughtless persons who wonder why the Commissioner does not place a policeman at point duty at the corner of every slum in Whitechapel.

As Sir Charles Warren points out, the strength of the force does not permit any considerable drafting of police into one district without a corresponding denudation of other quarters, which have as much right to police protection as any district in the East end The Times further illustrated the problems posed to the police by their lack of adequate numbers The total number of the force was 14,, there having been an increase in the number of superintendents, inspectors, and sergeants, and a decrease though much smaller in the number of constables as compared with the year before.

Of the total number, the best part of have been on special duties for Government departments, such as protecting public offices and buildings, dockyards, and military stations, as well as on similar duties on the premises of private individuals and public companies. The mention of these special duties is important, inasmuch as their fulfillment has entailed a reduction of the number of police available for service in the metropolis to 12, Of the available strength an average of one fourteenth has been daily on leave, while of the remainder men have been employed on "station and outside protection duties and special duties under various Acts of Parliament.

After deducting the casualties caused by sickness, there have been police available for duty in the streets. The existing system allots 60 per cent of these for night duty, which extends from 10 p. On the 31st of December, , what is the extent of the district for the safety of which these policemen are responsible by day and night? The metropolitan police district extends exclusive of the City of London and its Liberties over a radius of 15 miles from Charing cross.

The lack of police manpower was more than evident in the Detective Department, to which the task of investigating the Jack the Ripper Murders fell. James Monro - who was the head of the CID until August — had recognised the need for more detectives if the Metropolis was to be effectively policed, and he had consulted Warren about an increase in man power.

Warren's response was that uniformed Officers would be just as effective and he declined Monro's request for more detectives. Following a further disagreement with Warren Monro resigned, and left his post on August 31st , the day of the first definite Jack the Ripper murder, that of Mary Nichols.

As the detectives began their investigation into the Jack the Ripper murders, their morale had been severely sapped by James Monro's resignation. It is clear that the Detective Department at Scotland Yard is in an utterly hopeless and worthless condition; and that if there were a capable Director of criminal investigations, the scandalous exhibition of stupidity and ineptitude revealed at the East End inquests, and the immunity enjoyed by criminals, murder after murder, would not have angered and disgusted the Public feelings as it has done.

The New York Times , meanwhile, pulled no punches when it informed its readership that Barbs were even flung at them by their counterparts overseas who appear to have abandoned any semblance of professional courtesy. The Metropolitan Police Act was passed in It set up a force for London, leaving out the City, but covering an area 7 miles radius from the centre, later extended to 15 miles. In the 19th century the "Met" was responsible directly to the Home Secretary, whereas today it answers to the Mayor of London and the Metropolitan Police Authority..

The government was anxious to avoid any suggestion that the police was a military force, so they were not armed. Nor was their uniform anything like military uniform.

Uncertainty about what they could and could not do was responsible for many of the early complaints about the police see Case Study 5. There were however, deductions from their wages for their uniform and they weren't allowed to have any other income.

Some worked a seven day week, walking a beat of 7 - 10 miles a day. Please do not hesitate to contact me. Industry-specific and extensively researched technical data partially from exclusive partnerships. A paid subscription is required for full access.

Additional Information. Number of officers refers to full time equivalents; including long term absentees. As a Premium user you get access to the detailed source references and background information about this statistic. As a Premium user you get access to background information and details about the release of this statistic. This feature is limited to our corporate solutions. Please contact us to get started with full access to dossiers, forecasts, studies and international data.

You only have access to basic statistics. This statistic is not included in your account. Skip to main content Try our corporate solution for free! Single Accounts Corporate Solutions Universities. Premium statistics. Read more. There were over The majority of police officers in London work for the Metropolitan Police service, which is responsible for policing most of the UK capital, with the City of London Police only responsible for policing the historical center of the city, an area the size of around one square mile.

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