Metropolitan Police

• There were many different police forces at this time, and the home secretary, based in Westminster, had little control over local police forces outside London.
• The exception was the Metropolitan Police Force in London, which reported directly to the home secretary.
• Police work was hampered by insufficient manpower. By 1885, the Met was made up of just over £13000 men among a population of just over 5million; but only 1300 of those were available for duty at any one time.
• For police constables within the Met, pay was not especially good, and the work could be dangerous, which meant that not all the recruits were of a good quality.
• Each beat constable had his own ‘beat’ (area to patrol). If he was found to be away from his area, he could be fined or dismissed.