Londons first professional police force, founded in 1749 by magistrate Henry Fielding and continued by his brother John Fielding, replacing the corrupt thief-taker system and influencing British policing for the next eighty years.
Facts
Institution TypeSourced to the subject's own accountEarly professional police force 1 Founded YearSourced to the subject's own account HeadquartersSourced to the subject's own account Cross-Tradition Connections
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Were the Bow Street Runners really Britain's first police force?
Yes, in the sense of being the first professional, centrally paid police force in Britain. Founded in 1749 by Henry Fielding, they predated the Metropolitan Police by eighty years, though informal thief-takers had existed earlier.Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)
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