The formation of the Metropolitan police

• What was the result of an economic downturn?

  From 1826, the economic downturn led to increased poverty and increased crime and rioting
• What did Peel argue for keeping peace in London?

  He argued that they should have a more centralised system which led to the first Metropolitan Police officers whom were appointed in September 1829
• What was different to these new Metropolitan police officers?

  These officers were organised in a military style hierarchy and employed full-time with weekly pay and they also had standarised training at Scotland Yard
• How many new recruits were there in this police force?

  Around 2800
• What were the public's reaction to this new police force?

  They were hostile and they portrayed the officers as poorly-trained and immoral
• How many officers were retained?

  Only 600 were retained for a year or more
• What were people worried about for the society?

  People were worried about oppression from the military style presence on the streets and increased cost to the tax payers