Barking and Dagenham Parks Constabulary

Barking and Dagenham Parks Constabulary was a small constabulary responsible for policing the parks and open spaces of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham

London Borough of Barking and Dagenham

In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough had a total population of 1,937; and the area was characterised by farming, woodland and the fishing fleet at Barking. This last industry employed 1,370 men and boys by 1850, but by the end of the century had ceased to exist; replaced by...

. The Constabulary was disbanded on March 31, 2010.

Members of the constabulary were sworn as constables under section 18, Ministry of Housing and Local Government Provision Order Confirmation (Greater London Parks and Open Spaces) Act 1967. Such constables had the powers of a constable to deal with by-laws relating to parks and open spaces under their control. Such constables had no powers over and above that of an ordinary citizen to deal with criminal law and should not have been confused with police officers.

The responsibility for policing the parks remained the statutory responsibility of the Metropolitan Police Service

Metropolitan Police Service

The Metropolitan Police Service is the territorial police force responsible for Greater London, excluding the "square mile" of the City of London which is the responsibility of the City of London Police...

, who had the legal power to instigate proceedings against breaking criminal law, which parks constabularies cannot do.

See also