Keeping law and order on Georgian streets was entrusted to watchmen and constables, who typically wore long caped great coats, breeches, stockings and boots, or shoes and gaiters, with low-crowned slouch hats, carrying a lantern, staff or cudgel and a rattle. In 1800 the Glasgow Police Act established Britain’s first organised police force, its watchmen wearing brown coats with personal numbers painted on their backs. In England in 1805 members of the famous London watch, the Bow Street Horse Patrole, adopted standard blue coats and red waistcoats, followed by similar uniforms for the Foot Patrole in 1822.

Following Sir Robert Peel’s Act (1829) England’s first modern police force, the Metropolitan Force, was established to combat crime in the capital. In the belief that a recognisable form of dress for the ‘New police’ or ‘peelers’ would help maintain discipline and morale, the new uniform comprised a blue swallow-tailed coat, blue or white (summer) trousers and tall black top hat. The coat featured metal buttons, while constables’ left cuffs gained a blue and white striped duty armlet in 1830; a white letter indicting the wearer’s division and his personal number were embroidered on the collar. Reputedly the high standing collar provided protection against garrotting, the top hat being reinforced with cane, becoming a step if needed (for example, to see over walls!), but essentially the early policeman’s outfit mirrored fashion. Victorian uniforms underwent many changes, reflecting standardisation of uniforms across the services. In 1864 the Metropolitan Police replaced tail coats and top hats with more business-like tunics, knee-length greatcoats and quasi-military continental-style helmets resembling the German Pickelhaube. High-collared thigh-length tunics now bore metal collar numerals and tunic belts suspended the truncheon case. New sturdy, yet lightweight cork helmets faced with fabric, sometimes termed the ‘Custodian helmet’ bore a plate displaying divisional letter and number. Simultaneously rank chevrons were introduced for sergeants and their striped duty armlet, worn on the right arm since 1855, shifted to the left. Local police forces, established from the 1830s, wore Metropolitan-style uniforms, although regional variations existed, especially regarding headwear: for example in Kent peaked shako-style caps were worn from the mid-1860s until adoption of regular helmets in 1897; other forces wore variants of the basic helmet, with a ridge, crest or spike on the crown. Equipment advanced, rattles replaced by whistles in 1884 and a new-style truncheon (1887).

Mid-Victorian style police uniforms remained little changed until the late 1900s, although the working tunic grew shorter, more fitted, and in the 1940s a lounge-style jacket with lapels was introduced. During WW1 some 4000 women became voluntary police constables and in WW2 the Women’s Auxiliary Police Corps was formed. Indoor workers received blue cotton overalls with armlet or a breast badge bearing the letters WAPC. Drivers wore a tailored jacket with lapels and metal buttons, skirt or trousers and a peaked cap with gauntlet gloves.