History Fun Facts for February 5th

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY 5th FEBRUARY

On this day 5th February 1788, Sir Robert Peel was born.

 

Although he served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 67% of British people who recognised his name, didn't realise. Most will know his as the guy who set up the Metropolitan Police Force in London.

Police officers in Britain are often called "Bobbies" or "Peelers"

as a throw back to Robert Peel, the Met's creator.

Robert Peel actually served as Prime Minister twice. The first term between 1934-1835, and the second between 1841-1846.

 

But, as stated above, he is better known for the creation, in 1829, of the Metropolitan Police Force based at Scotland Yard, London.

When Peel set out the principals of policing a democracy, he said,

"The police are the public and the public are the police."

 

Before adding:

"Which one of you thieving scumbags stole my sandwich?"

It was the first permanent police force of its kind and not at all popular with the criminals. However, it soon became popular amongst their victims. It cut crime in London by a half.

 

In 1857, all cities in the UK were required to establish their own police forces. Nowadays, they're pretty much everywhere.