Metropolitan Police Act 1829
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The Metropolitan Police Act 1829[a] (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.[c]
Provisions
[edit]The 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 (13 Edw. 1. St. 2) was cited as the primary legislation regulating the policing of the country since the Norman Conquest.[1]
Subsequent developments
[edit]In section 1 of the act, the words "and of all liberties therein" in both places, the words "and the liberties therein" and the words "and for all liberties therein" were repealed by section 8(2) of, and part I of schedule 5 to, the Justices of the Peace Act 1968, which came into force on 25 October 1968.[2]
Sections 6, 7 and 35 of the act were repealed by section 1 of, and the part IX of the schedule to, the Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1971, which came into force on 27 July 1971.[3]
Section 14–16 of the act were repealed by section 1(1) of, and group 3 of part I of schedule 1 to, the Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1986, which came into force on 2 May 1986.[4]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- 1 2 The citation of this act by this short title was authorised by section 1 of, and the first schedule to, the Short Titles Act 1896 (59 & 60 Vict. c. 14). Due to the repeal of those provisions it is now authorised by section 19(2) of the Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30).
- ↑ The Acts of Parliament (Commencement) Act 1793.
- ↑ The Short Titles Act 1896, section 2(1) and Schedule 2
References
[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…
- ↑ "Justices of the Peace Act 1968", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1968 c. 69
- ↑ "Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1971", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1971 c. 52
- ↑ "Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1986", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1986 c. 12
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. doi:10.2307/1140471. JSTOR 1140471.
External links
[edit]- Text of the Metropolitan Police Act 1829 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.
- Text of the Metropolitan Police Act 1829 as originally enacted or made within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.
- Inspector Denning – Victorian Police in Westminster – UK Parliament Living Heritage
- Metropolitan Police; Time Line 1829–1849
- Metropolitan police –Timeline 1829 to 1899
