Liverpool Markets Police
Encyclopedia
Liverpool Markets Police was a police force maintained by Liverpool City Council
to police the markets owned by the City. The force existed from at least 1837, was disbanded in 1976, re-formed in 1992 and finally disbanded in 2002.
On 2 May 1946, the Chief Constable
of Liverpool City Police, Herbert Winstanley, was approached for assistance in re-organising Market policing. As a result, the uniformed staff at Stanley Meat Market were appointed as "Market Constables", and attested
as special constable
s for the City of Liverpool. In 1962 the City's wholesale market relocated to a site opposite the meat market, and the Market Police expanded to provide policing for both markets.
A large-scale council reorganisation in 1972 saw the Parks Police
and Airport Police disbanded as police forces and merged to form "Liverpool City Security Force". However, the Markets Police continued in a separate existence for a further four years, until they too were merged into the Security Force in 1976. As part of the merger, the Market Police officers were offered a choice between positions within the (better-paid) Security Force, subject to passing an entrance exam, or becoming gatekeepers at their current rate of pay.
At the start of the 1990s, a council working party that was looking into rising crime and disorder in the Markets recommended that the Markets Police be re-formed, and a further council reorganisation in October 1992 led to the Markets Police being reintroduced, consisting of one inspector and 13 constables. The first officers underwent six weeks’ training with Merseyside Police.
In 1995, the force had increased to 1 inspector (who left in 1996), 2 sergeants and 15 constables, with cover being provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The country's first "Market Watch" scheme was established in 1997, in co-operation between the Markets Police Merseyside Police
Crime Prevention Unit.
In 2002 the Markets Police consisted of 4 sergeants and 10 constables. Most officers were on duty during the markets' opening hours, and two officers on duty when the market was closed, thus providing a 24 hour service. The force was funded by the City Council and from a charge paid by the Market Traders Association. Training consisted of six weeks in-house, covering general police duties, followed by six months on-the-job.
The Markets Police were disbanded in 2002, when the City Council privatised the markets, and their functions were taken on by a private security company.
s, their powers being allegedly founded in common law.
and Vauxhall Astra
vans with police markings, which also carried firefighting and first aid
equipment.
on a red centre, and a blue ring with the words "City of Liverpool Markets Police". Instead of St Edward's Crown, as commonly used in police badges, the post-1992 Markets Police cap badge used a "Norman Crown" to surmount the Brunswick star
, purportedly in recognition of the origins of the City's markets in King John's charter of 1207. The cap band was Sillitoe Tartan
, in green and white, and the jersey patch rectangular with the words "Market Police".
Liverpool City Council
Liverpool City Council is the governing body for the city of Liverpool in Merseyside, England. It consists of 90 councillors, three for each of the city's 30 wards. The council is currently controlled by the Labour Party and is led by Joe Anderson.-Domain:...
to police the markets owned by the City. The force existed from at least 1837, was disbanded in 1976, re-formed in 1992 and finally disbanded in 2002.
History
The first recorded Market Constable was Charles Worral, who was listed as such in 1837, and as "Head Constable" in 1851. In 1860 the market constables had formed into a formal police force under the control of the City's Markets Department, though records of the force are non-existent from then until after World War Two.On 2 May 1946, the Chief Constable
Chief Constable
Chief constable is the rank used by the chief police officer of every territorial police force in the United Kingdom except for the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police, as well as the chief officers of the three 'special' national police forces, the British Transport Police, Ministry...
of Liverpool City Police, Herbert Winstanley, was approached for assistance in re-organising Market policing. As a result, the uniformed staff at Stanley Meat Market were appointed as "Market Constables", and attested
Police Oath
It is usual for Police officers take an oath to uphold the law. The following is a selection from different countries.- Hong Kong :English version according to Chapter 232, schedule 1, Laws of Hong KongI, .. ....
as special constable
Special constable
A Special Constable is a law enforcement officer who is not a regular member of a police force. Some like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police carry the same law enforcement powers as regular members, but are employed in specific roles, such as explosive disposal technicians, court security, campus...
s for the City of Liverpool. In 1962 the City's wholesale market relocated to a site opposite the meat market, and the Market Police expanded to provide policing for both markets.
A large-scale council reorganisation in 1972 saw the Parks Police
Liverpool Parks Police
Liverpool Parks Police was a police force maintained by the Corporation of Liverpool to police the parks and open spaces owned by the City. The first record of "park constables" in Liverpool is from 1832, although members of the force were not sworn in as constables in their own right until 1882...
and Airport Police disbanded as police forces and merged to form "Liverpool City Security Force". However, the Markets Police continued in a separate existence for a further four years, until they too were merged into the Security Force in 1976. As part of the merger, the Market Police officers were offered a choice between positions within the (better-paid) Security Force, subject to passing an entrance exam, or becoming gatekeepers at their current rate of pay.
At the start of the 1990s, a council working party that was looking into rising crime and disorder in the Markets recommended that the Markets Police be re-formed, and a further council reorganisation in October 1992 led to the Markets Police being reintroduced, consisting of one inspector and 13 constables. The first officers underwent six weeks’ training with Merseyside Police.
In 1995, the force had increased to 1 inspector (who left in 1996), 2 sergeants and 15 constables, with cover being provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The country's first "Market Watch" scheme was established in 1997, in co-operation between the Markets Police Merseyside Police
Merseyside Police
Merseyside Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing Merseyside in North West England. The force area is 647 square kilometres with a population of around 1.5 million...
Crime Prevention Unit.
In 2002 the Markets Police consisted of 4 sergeants and 10 constables. Most officers were on duty during the markets' opening hours, and two officers on duty when the market was closed, thus providing a 24 hour service. The force was funded by the City Council and from a charge paid by the Market Traders Association. Training consisted of six weeks in-house, covering general police duties, followed by six months on-the-job.
The Markets Police were disbanded in 2002, when the City Council privatised the markets, and their functions were taken on by a private security company.
Powers
From 1992, Markets Police officers were not attested as constableConstable
A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions.-Etymology:...
s, their powers being allegedly founded in common law.
Vehicles
The Markets Police operated Ford TransitFord Transit
The Ford Transit is a range of panel vans, minibuses, and pickup trucks, produced by the Ford Motor Company in Europe.The Transit has been the best-selling light commercial vehicle in Europe for 40 years, and in some countries the term "Transit" has passed into common usage as a generic term...
and Vauxhall Astra
Vauxhall Astra
Astra is a model name which has been used by Vauxhall, the British subsidiary of General Motors , on their small family car ranges since 1979. Astras are technically essentially identical with similar vehicles offered by GM's German subsidiary Opel in most other European countries...
vans with police markings, which also carried firefighting and first aid
First aid
First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care...
equipment.
Uniform
Prior to disbandment in 1976, the Markets Police wore a contemporary police uniform, with a tunic, and cap badge featuring a chrome Liver bird. Collar numbers with the words "Market Constable" were worn on the epaulettes. From 1992, they wore a contemporary standard police uniform, which at that time consisted of a dark blue jersey and jacket with dark blue trousers, a white shirt and black tie, and though tunics were issued they were rarely worn. The cap badge was chrome, with a Liver BirdLiver bird
The Liver bird is the symbol of the city of Liverpool, England.-History:The earliest known use of a bird to represent the then-town of Liverpool was on its corporate seal, dating from the 1350s. The seal is now held by the British Museum. In 1668 the Earl of Derby gave the town council a mace...
on a red centre, and a blue ring with the words "City of Liverpool Markets Police". Instead of St Edward's Crown, as commonly used in police badges, the post-1992 Markets Police cap badge used a "Norman Crown" to surmount the Brunswick star
Brunswick star
The Brunswick star is an emblem which in outline is an eight-pointed or sixteen-pointed star, but which is composed of many narrow rays. It is used in Britain to surround the Royal Cypher on various badges, such as that worn on the caps and helmets of almost all police forces...
, purportedly in recognition of the origins of the City's markets in King John's charter of 1207. The cap band was Sillitoe Tartan
Sillitoe Tartan
The Sillitoe Tartan is the name given to the distinctive black and white chequered pattern which was originally associated with the police in Scotland, but which later spread to Australia, New Zealand, and the rest of the United Kingdom, as well as to some other places such as Chicago...
, in green and white, and the jersey patch rectangular with the words "Market Police".
See also
- Birmingham Market PoliceBirmingham Market PoliceBirmingham Market Police is a defunct police force of the United Kingdom which existed between 1883 and 1976, and was formerly under the control of Birmingham Corporation where it was responsible for policing the markets controlled by the Corporation...
- City of London market constabulariesCity of London market constabulariesThe City of London market constabularies are three small constabularies responsible for security at Billingsgate, New Spitalfields and Smithfield markets run by the City of London Corporation.-See also:*Liverpool Markets Police*Birmingham Market Police...
- Law enforcement in the United Kingdom
- List of defunct law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom