Two Police Forces

Since modern policing began, there have always been two forces in Portsmouth. The formation of the Dockyard police began in the 1770s; a standing force was formed in 1834 and in 1860 the Admiralty asked the Metropolitan Police to take over guarding the Yard. This force mainly existed to deter unwanted people from entering and attempt to stop the widespread, endemic pilfering. This was always separate from the City of Portsmouth police force who patrolled the streets of the town.