BOW STREET MAGISTRATES’ COURT & POLICE STATION

The origins of the modern police force are found on Bow Street in the Covent Garden area of London, UK. The Bow Street Magistrates’ Court was established here in 1740. In 1748, Henry Fielding was appointed as a magistrate.

During this era, the gin flowed freely throughout this area and crime rates rose. Up until this time, the “Hue & Cry” system was in place, where private citizens banded together at a moment’s notice to apprehend criminals. Fielding appointed 8 constables, whose job was the apprehension of criminals. Initially, they were known as “Mr. Fielding’s People.”

These constables, under the leadership of Henry Fielding and later, his brother, John Fielding, soon established a reputation of efficiently pursuing & capturing criminals. They eventually were known as the “Bow Street Runners,” and were the forerunner to the modern police force.

In 1829, the London Metropolitan Police Department was established under the Metropolitan Police Act of 1829 and the leadership of Sir Robert Peel. This was the first modern police agency in the world. The building above served as one of their police stations from 1832 to 1992.

Today, this building houses Nomad, a NY-based hotel, and the Bow Street Police Museum.

“Professionalism is Our Hallmark”