Scotland Yard is the headquarters of Metropolitan Police in London. Scotland Yard is situated on the Thames Embankment close to the Houses of Parliament and the familiar clock tower of Big Ben and its jurisdiction extends over 740 square miles the exception of the ancient City London.

When to call 999 Call 999 in an emergency is when a crime is happening, someone suspected of a crime is nearby, or if someone is injured, being threatened or in danger. Deaf and deafened people using a Textphone (minicom) should dial in an emergency. Please use the TextDirect prefix for non- emergency calls. Typetalk can be contacted on or visit When to call 101 You can call 101 to report a crime that has already happened, seek crime prevention advice or make us aware of any policing issues in your local area. Call 101: If your car, bicycle or mobile phone have been stolen If your garden shed has been broken into If your property has been damaged If you want to report a minor traffic collision, or If you want to provide the police with information about a crime in your area. Using 101 for situations, that do not require an immediate police response (such as those outlined above) helps keep 999 available for when there is an emergency.

There are over detectives in the Crime Investigation Department of the Metropolitan Police. Their job is the discover by collecting evidence, how more serious crimes are committed and who did them. After at least two years as a PS or WPC in uniform a Constable may join the CID and be trained as a detective at the Detective Training School at Peel Centre, Hendon They learn how to find clues and collect information, they find out how to question witnesses and solve crime, also how to present complicated cases at court.

Detectives work in ordinary clothes. They spend a lot of time finding and talking to people who may have seen something important but may not know it. When a crime has been committed they go to the scene and look for clues and other evidence.

Many detectives work from local police stations solving serious crimes which happen on their section or they might belong to one of the world famous squads at Scotland Yard

The robbery squad concentrates on serious crime like large robberies. The fraud squad enquires into dishonest business dealings. The drugs squad deal with people who buy or sell drugs illegally.

Special branch helps protect state secret and important people who might be in danger. In 1972 the anti-terrorist branch was formed, to combat people like bomber.

The most interesting please in Scotland yard is Map Room. Here are the Central Crime Map, the Deaths by violence Map, the Accident Map and the Vehicles recovered Map

An old-established section of the Metropolitan Police is the Mounted Branch with its strength of about 200 horses stabled at strategic points. These horses are particularly suited to ceremonial occasions for they are accustomed to military band.

An interesting branch of Scotland Yard is the branch of Police Dogs, these dogs are an important part of the Force. One dog, for example, can search a warehouse in ten minute, whereas the same search would take six men an hour.

The River Police or Thames Division which has its own crime investigation officer who handle all crimes occurring within its river boundaries.

There are two other department of Scotland Yard-the Witness room where a photographic record of know or suspected criminals is kept and the Museum with contains murder relicts, forgery exhibits and coining molds. The present museum The present museum is in two rooms The first contains an extensive collection of weapons, all of which have been used in murders or serious assaults in London, and displays items from famous cases, generally prior to 1900, such as Jack the Ripper and 'Charlie Peace'. A morbid display, which attracts comment, is the display of the death masks of people hanged at Newgate Prison which adorn a high shelf and look down on visitors. The second room contains cabinets under the following categories, Famous Murders Notorious Poisoners Murder of Police Officers Royalty Bank Robberies Espionage Sieges Hostages and hijacking

The name Scotland Yard originates from the plot of land adjoining Whitehall Palace where in about the 14 th century, the royalty and nobility of Scotland stayed when visiting the English Court. The popular nick-name of the London policeman « bobby » is a tribute to sir Robert Peel, and whose Christian name attached itself to members of the force.

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