The Bow Street Runners have been called London's first professional police force. The force was founded in 1749 by the author Henry Fielding and originally numbered just six. Bow Street runners was the public's nickname for these officers, "although the officers never referred to themselves as runners, considering the term to be derogatory". The Bow Street group was disbanded in 1839.
Famous quotes containing the words bow, street and/or runners:
“The bow cannot always stand bent, nor can human frailty subsist without some lawful recreation.”
—Miguel De Cervantes (1547–1616)
“Nothing makes a man feel older than to hear a band coming up the street and not to have the impulse to rush downstairs and out on to the sidewalk.”
—Robert Benchley (1889–1945)
“We need no runners here. Booze is law
and all the Indians drink in the best tavern.
Money is free if you’re poor enough.”
—James Welch (b. 1940)