In the late 18th Century, cargo to the value of £500,000 was being stolen from the Pool of London every year. The force was set up on a one-year trial basis only – it has been extended somewhat, of course! – by magistrate Patrick Colquoun, Master mariner John Harriott and utilitarian philosopher. Each man brought his expertise – in the fields of law and order, seafaring and social reform respectively – to found a police force that predates the Metropolitan Police by 31 years and the City of London Police by a decade more.
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