Metropolitan Police Act 1829

The Metropolitan Police Act 1829 (10 Geo. 4. c. 44) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, introduced by Sir Robert Peel, which established the Metropolitan Police. This was to be responsible for policing the newly created Metropolitan Police District, which consisted of the City of Westminster and parts of Middlesex, Surrey, and Kent, within seven miles of Charing Cross, apart from the City of London. It replaced a previously more diverse system of parish constables and watchmen. It is one of the Metropolitan Police Acts 1829 to 1895.

Provisions The act was the enabling legislation for what is often considered to be the first modern police force, the "bobbies" or "peelers" (after Peel), which later served as the model for modern urban policing throughout Britain. Until the passage of the act, the Statute of Winchester of 1285 (13 Edw. 1. St. 2) was cited as the primary legislation regulating the policing of the country since the Norman Conquest.

Subsequent developments In section 1 of the act, the words "and of all liberties therein" in both places, the words "and the liberties therein" and the words "and for all liberties therein" were repealed by section 8(2) of, and part I of schedule 5 to, the Justices of the Peace Act 1968, which came into force on 25 October 1968.

Sections 6, 7 and 35 of the act were repealed by section 1 of, and the part IX of the schedule to, the Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1971, which came into force on 27 July 1971.

Section 14–16 of the act were repealed by section 1(1) of, and group 3 of part I of schedule 1 to, the Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1986, which came into force on 2 May 1986.

See also History of law enforcement in the United Kingdom History of the Metropolitan Police Peelian principles

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Metropolitan Police Act 1829

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