History of the River Thames police
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- Опубліковано 4 лют 2025
- The River Thames police are the longest-serving police force in Britain. They were originally founded in 1798 to protect the ships arriving back from the slave plantations of Britain's West Indian colonies. Their role soon changed to a general protection of people and property on the river. They are now part of London's Metropolitan Police but predate the Met by over 30 years. The Thames police are still based in the same location at Wapping in East London where they began over 300 years ago. Read the history of the River Thames police in this video.
As a consumer of a lot of historical content on UA-cam I want to congratulate you on an excellent piece of work. Clear explanations, comprehensive but engaging and great interviews with real people who were involved rather than other historians which was refreshing. Great job keep it up.
Well said. Real normal guest speakers recounting their experiences.
The real people give the video a great dimension. They must’ve been very interesting people to meet.
Such a well delivered video. I love the reference to the pubs.
A fascinating video. Mackenzie seems like an amazing person. He and Rob did some remarkable work. Very well put together video. Thank you.
I agree Rob and Mackenzie are amazing and so interesting.. You could make an entire video on Mackenzie's tales. Please do.
I love when people who love London's history let it show through. Everyone of these documentaries is like one of the layers of London's history. There's always some quirky corner to discover.
Your passion and knowledge of London is amazing.
And it’s fantastic that you bring these quirky subjects to us. Thank you
British author Anne Perry based much of her William Monk detective novels on Monk, a former member of the Metropolitan Police Force and a former private detective, going to work as the head of the River Police in the 1860’s. The books inspired an interest in learning more about the River Police. Your video was the most comprehensive and interesting resource that I have ever found on the subject. Many thanks.
Good to hear. Thanks.
So clearly explained. Hours of research must have gone into this.
Your photos and articles on other portals are always so interesting and informative.
The interviews are so good as well. A very engaging video.
This is another fine feather to your historical bow.
Congratulations!
Glad you enjoyed it
Your passion and knowledge of history and research is commendable.
I just stumbled upon your yt and immediately subscribed. I love history! Keep up the awesome work 👍
The production value of this video excellent!!! Can't wait for more!!
Much appreciated!
A Really Useful Policing Job.
Hi very interesting, I worked on the river Thames in the late 50's and remember Old Ropey He would come alongside the tug and give us 2/6 a bundle for old rope which was recycled,the interesting thing is he was based at Wapping Stairs!!!!!, On the tug was 4 Crew and sometimes we had to moor up on a roads, a waterman would give us a step ashore and we would give him 1/3 each which was his beer money that night but if we saw a police boat we would get a step ashore costing us nothing and keep the waterage money, PS 1/3p would buy you a Pint of beer then . Cheers
You probably have a lot of good memories and stories from your time on the river.
Sir Robert Peel (1788-1850) a Skillful Politican became Home Secretary in 1822, and carefully made police reforms without arousing the public fear of intimidation.
He believed in crime prevention rather than relieving on punishment as a deterrent.
In 1829 Legislation was passed by Parliament to establish the Metropolitan Police in London.
A single Force for an area roughly within a circle of seven miles from the centre of London.
looking forward to more videos. nice job.
This is a great video. I've Watched it lot on Mud larking because of the History and it's been a hobby of mine on my local River but this Video adds another big peice to the puzzle of the Themes history
This is so well delivered and a nice interesting watch. Well done.
Thank you Peter, that was an awesome historical lesson.
Glad you enjoyed it
I must say how much I enjoyed watching this video. You speak so well and with great knowledge and keep your audience interested. Such great guest speakers too. Thank you
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
Fascinating vein of research, and well produced. Moved from the South East coast of England to London 3 years ago, truly a great city for History lovers. I look forward to more videos!
Thank you.
A friend of mine who I worked with told me about your video. I am interested in the history of London and she told how good it was and that. It had easy to follow accurate subtitles. I have been profoundly deaf since birth so subtitles are really for me to participate in a hearing world. Automatically generated subtitles are often not accurate and it is excellent that you have taken the trouble to add your own which I am told by my hearing husband are spot on accurate. Thank you for that. The video is really interesting and about a subject I knew nothing about. Oliver and I will definitely be visiting the pubs you mention. Well done on a fantastic video that I am able to watch and I can't wait for more.
Glad you enjoyed it and found the sub-titles useful. Enjoy the pubs when you visit them.
Fantastic that you’ve made it accessible to all
Very Interesting.
Really impressive. Well done, and thank you to all your contributors for their memories.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Ron and Mackenzie deserve a big thank you too.
Whoops so sorry Rob - Typo
Your contributors are amazing people
My favourite one of your videos so far. Mac and Rob are so interesting. Very professionally delivered. Thanks.
Thank you.
Such a fantastic first video. Your knowledge of the great city is admirable. I found your speakers fascinating too. I see from the comments that you do all of this solo. Amazing and professionally delivered. Thank you
Having learnt so much from this video. I’ve headed to your website and that’s amazing too. So much knowledge and so easy to navigate.
You should be a guide.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. In some ways I'd love to be a guide but there are only so many hours in each day! And anyway, there are so many excellent London guides out there.
I definitely agree that you are a guide in the making.
I’d definitely book one of your tours if you were a guide.
This is an outstanding documentary you have made . Top quality work and effort very rarely seen on UA-cam nowadays
Thanks.
Congratulations on a wonderful video. I learned quite a bit and enjoyed it thoroughly. Rob Jeffries’ story about his application process for the Marine Police Unit was very amusing! I am looking forward to the next video.
Thanks. Yes, Rob is quite a character.
If this video is an example of the quality and depth of London history videos to come I can’t wait to see more! Best wishes for continued success.
Many thanks. I'm currently finishing off two more videos that I hope to post over the next few weeks.
Brilliant...many thanks....best of luck...from the Philippines😊😊😊😊😊
Thanks...from London!
Thankyou all very very interesting ideed ; I enjoyed it :I served five years as a T hames Dividion Special Constable , working at weekends on a regular basis , on a 8 hour shift , 2pm to 10pm, I really enjoyed job and experience ; thanks Thames Division
Informative and entertaining! Your general overview of the river's history is fascinating.
Glad you enjoyed it!
My cousins are right - This really is a good video. They have contacted me in Italy with strict instructions to watch it because I would learn something - I did as well! One of my cousins is amazed that you did it all on your own and there is no big film crew involved. You have done a really good job. Well done! We are definitely going to visit the pubs you mentioned when I am next in London. - Salvatore - Roma
Thank you! Actually I'm currently planning a video about historic London pubs, so watch out for that one.
A very interesting video. Your speakers are fascinating.
An excellent piece, dear Mr. Stone; thank you.
Thank you kindly!
Thanks, that was a well presented & researched film.
Excellent! Well done Peter. Must have taken so much time and effort, but really worthwhile. So, big thanks! Kevin MLW
Thanks Kevin.
The effort and time spent on this is reflected in the standard of the video.
It is delivered professionally and effortlessly in an interesting watchable format.
Congratulations
Yes I agree so much time and effort must’ve gone into this video.
You must be really pleased with it and the great well deserved comments.
So very interesting and thank you so much for a very interesting episode of London's history!
Thanks!
Such an interesting video and so well presented. I’ve just ordered your book which of these videos are anything to go by will be a fascinating read.
Do you give talks anywhere?
I very occasionally give talks, but few and far between.
Well done, Peter. This is excellent.
Thanks Mike.
A real endorsement of greatness to have the LH tell you it's excellent.
Brilliant...I've found a new fantastic channel. Liked & subscribed!!!! I love the history of my beautiful city where I was born & lived all my life & would NEVER leave!!
Awesome, thank you!
I became interested in the Thames Water Police after reading Patrick Easter's fictional books. Thank-you for the interesting video.
You're very welcome!
Thank you for this video. More please.
I have never given any thought to the River Thames Police and their work. Your video is an interesting insight into how they protect us and save lives. I also really like your own sub-titles. I see some people have said otherwise but automated ones are not nearly as accurate. Must have taken you a long time but definitely a bonus. On to your other videos now.
Some people like the sub-titles, some don't. The issue for me is that automated sub-titles are very inaccurate. Really... how many different ways can they spell "Wapping"!
Very informative and concise video, presented in a way, which makes it extremely interesting and watchable. I thoroughly enjoyed it. You have created a real masterpiece and i 'm looking forward to your next video.
Thank you.
Very informative and interesting history of policing on the River Thames. It was interesting to hear about some of the influential names that you mentioned in your video as some of the current police patrol vessels are named after them.
Thank you.
Another great video on something about London that not many people know about. Your guest speakers are so good. Hats off to McKenzie and Rob for the hard work they have done.
I must say I love that map behind you when you speak, can I ask you please to tell me a bit more about it. Thanks
It's a print of John Strype's map of 1720. I've had it for a few years. It was copied and printed out by the Royal Geographical Society www.rgs.org/.
Very interesting and entertaining, especially Mackenzie Moulton. Overall a great video. I’ll be watching again. Thank you.
Thanks.
I had not realised how much we need the Thames River Police. A great video. Your own sub titles are a great bonus as automated ones are not as accurate. On to your other videos now.
Glad you enjoyed it.
A very informative video about a Division of the Metropolitan Police I was proud to serve in both on the boats and in the Underwater Search Unit. Pleased I could have been helpful in the production of this video Peter. Mackenzie Moulton (Mac)
Thanks for all your help with the video Mac.
The stories Mackenzie tells are so interesting. Such an important job . He must’ve seen some sights. Pity he didn’t get to keep the Rolls Royce as a thank you for all his efforts. 😀
I’ve had a look at his artwork too and he certainly is a talented man.
Fascinating stories
I’ve really enjoyed your website and can now really enjoy your UA-cam site!
Much appreciated!
Greatly enjoyed the video and facts. I love London history.
Glad you enjoyed it
So many stories of London that many know little about .
Hoping for more videos of this clear and easy to follow format. Thanks
@@Londoner-yg2tu A great city to live in. I love it.
A phenomenal amount of work must have gone into researching the content of this video.
I certainly learnt many new fascinating facts.
Congratulations on your first episode. I’ll be looking out for the next one.
Thanks.
A very interesting video. The are great - Makes a change to have 100% accurate sub titles. Mackenzie and Rob must have been fascinating to talk to.
great video
As a proud owner of a Dunkirk Little Ship, I was moving her from the Medway to Galleons Point Marina coming up the Thames with the tide. Coming down the Thames was a police boat stemming the tide so putting up a large wash. The boat did a 180 and came up alongside, a young officer on deck shouted he'd come aboard. I called up on the VHF that as they had put up such a wake, the officer should wait until it was safe to do so. Now the police don't like radio use as it alerts other there on the river. Anyway, once the wake subsided, he came aboard, once he saw the Dunkirk plaque, my father's medals and other exhibits, he asked about the boat. Then left full of apologies for the wake and the boarding request.
In the 15 years I owned the boat, she has been moored in Lime House, Galleons and St Katharin's docks and we have had Laying Up Suppers at The Prospect of Whitby, The Watermen's Hall and The Houses of Parliament to name a few.
Always good to read up on London's history so thank you for explaining the River Police so well.
In the past few years I've seen a couple of gatherings of the Little Ships on the river. Good to see so many of them still in excellent condition. I used to own an old wooden boat myself, so I know how much time, effort and money needs to go into maintaining them.
A well delivered video with lots of interesting information and images. Very clear and concise. Looking forward to the next episode. Mackenzie sounds a fascinating person too with great stories to tell.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I have heard of that The Great British Commanders Harotio Nelson and Arthur Wellesley first time & only met each other at Downing Street House in October 1805.
Arthur Wellesley did meet Sir Robert Peel.
Wonderful. But please leave the subtitles out. I found them very distracting and subtitles are available on UA-cam if you need them.
I tested it without sub-titles but it didn't work. There were too many things people didn't understand. And the UA-cam subtitles are too inaccurate.
@@TheHistoryofLondon-PeterStone At my ripe old age I find the subtitles great. They are so accurate and a bonus. Thank you
@@Edward-h9b I agree . I am profoundly deaf since birth and it made it so much more enjoyable knowing that someone has taken the time and trouble to get the subtitles spot on.
Great video thank you
Glad you enjoyed it.
Very interesting , great presentation thanks for posting and sharing :)
Glad you enjoyed it
I agree . Presentation is faultless
Any chance of a new video soon? Not used to waiting so long between uploads in youtube lol
Fascinating. Thank you. I look forward to your next vid.
Thank you. Hopefully another next month. Don't forget to subscribe if you haven't done so already.
@@TheHistoryofLondon-PeterStone I have subscribed and sent the link out on Twitter. You'll soon be up to 1000 subscribers!
Very interesting and well presented
Thanks!
Very good video, Peter.
Glad you enjoyed it
Back in the 1950's I lived in Margate just up the coast from Ramsgate.
Wow.
More, please
Thank you. Hopefully another next month. Don't forget to subscribe if you haven't done so already.
Well done
Very good
Thanks
Brilliant!!!
Thanks.
Daniel Defoe wrote the story of the castaway Robinson Crusoe.
I have heard of that Thousands of people left the countrysides to look for work jobs in London.
Captain William Kidd was hanged twice.
Because the rope snapped.
This time it was chain.
Did the River Thames Police Force begin around the time of King George the 3rd?
Yes, they did.
Thank you.
🏰👑⚔️🛡️🇬🇧🛡️⚔️👑🏰
4:46)Captain Kidd was hanged because he raided the wrong Spanish ship. Some of the cargo belonged to people who had the Royal Ear. USN Admiral Kidd was aboard the USS Pennsylvania(BB 38)Class USS Arizona(BB 39) at Pearl Harbor.
14:30)Under the Riot Act, it is illegal for more than TWO people to be in one place.Three is a riot, no matter what they are doing. A bit ironic that it is a law intended for use in Ireland
👍😉👋
The captions are gratuitous and distracting.
I tried it without captions but it didn't work well. Quite a few people have commented positively about the captions. Over half the viewers are overseas and can't understand every word of my British accent. Also, it's hard for many to understand details, particularly names (Colquhoun!) without subtitles.
I tend to agree while youtube might get location names etc spelt wrong i still prefer that than being forced into subtitles
The captions are far from a distraction for those of us who are profoundly death since birth. We may be in the minority but it is nice that this person has taken the trouble to add accurate captions so that people like me can feel we are not having to compromise with mis spellings just because a hearing person finds then distracting.
@@papanurgle9015 I have been "forced" as you put it, all of my life to depend on subtitles as I have been profoundly deaf since birth. Often they are inaccurate and leave me a bit confused. I like to know the correct spelling of names and locations so that if I want to explore the subject further I have the correct information. Surely a few lines of text on the screen is not too much to ask to make people with hearing problems feel as included as others.
@@TheHistoryofLondon-PeterStone I sincerely appreciate you replying.
Sorry, but Glasgow did this in 1789 when the Bailies of the Glasgow Corporation set up a force of 8 men who wore a badge inscribed with the word "Police". In 1800 the City of Glasgow Police was established after the Glasgow Police Act; 29 years before the Metropolitan Police.
As mentioned in the video! (Introduction section about Patrick Colquoun).