Historical Records of the Metropolitan Police Service

The Metropolitan Police Service has a long and varied history. Many books and articles have been written about it and much of the material used in these texts has been drawn from official records that have been preserved. Records of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) that are of historical value are eventually transferred to The National Archives (TNA) formerly known as the Public Record Office, at Kew, Surrey, where members of the public can inspect them. The MPS does not maintain its own archive of historical records.

The MPS generates thousands of records every year relating to all aspects of its business, right through from ordering new pens to the investigation of the most serious crimes. Only a very small proportion of the total records created are transferred to TNA. Most routine administrative records are destroyed once their administrative usefulness ceases, either on a date basis or by individual file review. This is done in accordance with an agreed Retention and Disposal Schedule.

Selection of records for preservation

The appraisal, selection and transfer process is undertaken by MPS staff in consultation with The National Archives (TNA).

A historical record is normally defined as one that is over 30 years old. As a result, the selection process normally takes place when records become 25 years old. There are, however, some exceptions. Occasionally, records are transferred earlier than this, usually because they contain no sensitive information and are likely to be of particular interest to historians and researchers.

The MPS records held at The National Archives cover a wide range of subjects and the have been selected to illustrate, as completely as possible, the history of the organisation, as well as to include interesting and significant case files. Most of the surviving records have been centrally created and have some corporate value, however, there are also examples of specialist records or locally produced records of particular interest.

The criteria now used to select records for TNA are set out in the MPS Operational Selection Policy on the TNA website along with OSPs for many other government departments and agencies.

Access to the records

Every effort has been made to make as many of these historical records as possible available for research. This has included the re-review and release of previously closed records, including:

• Jack the Ripper (1888-1891)
• Attempted assassination of Queen Victoria (1840-1849)
• Murder of Mrs Cora Crippen (known as Belle Elmore) by "Dr" Hawley Harvey Crippen (1910)
• The arrest and trial of Sir Roger Casement (1916)
• Protection of Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson (1936)
• Murder by Gordon Frederick Cummins in West End – The Wartime Ripper -(1942)
• Burglary at "Ednam", Sunningdale, Surrey, on 16 October 1946 of property of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (1946-1961)
• Dr. John Bodkin Adams charged with murder in Eastbourne (1950)
• Murders of Ethel Christie and other women at 10 Rillington Place, London, by John Reginald Halliday Christie (1953)
• The activities of the Kray brothers (1963-1968)

However, some records will remain closed to public scrutiny for longer periods of time because they contain information that remains sensitive. This is usually personally sensitive information relating to named individuals or because release of the information could prejudice a future investigation or prosecution.

How the records are arranged

On transfer to The National Archives records are given a new reference number. This consists of a Lettercode, a ‘Class' number and a ‘Piece' Number. The Lettercode for all MPS records is MEPO and each Class represents a different type of record, e.g. files, photographs, ledgers etc.

The records within each Class have a sequential reference number. For example, the reference MEPO 3/142 relates to a set of papers entitled ‘ Letters from individuals signed 'Jack the Ripper' 1888-1891'.

Each Class includes a Guide that explains the content and context of the records within that Class, e.g. why the records were created, by whom and for what purpose they were used. It will also indicate whether there are any access restrictions on particular records or whether they are available for research. The National Archives catalogue contains details of nearly all of the MPS records held at Kew (there are a few closed descriptions due to continuing sensitivity).

Genealogical records

A large number of records relating to the service of MPS police officers have been preserved as historical records. However, there is a growing interest in genealogy in general and many family historians are seeking information about past Metropolitan Police officers. The Metropolitan Police (London): Records of Service research guide, published by TNA, provides guidance on the historical personnel records and how to use them.

Undertaking research

The MPS cannot carry out historical research on behalf of enquirers. It may, however, be able to assist in identifying appropriate sources of information relating to ‘closed' or other records from our finding aids. The Records Management Branch can also provide more detailed information on the retention and selection processes for historical information.

Contacting us

The Records Management Branch can be contacted by e-mail or by writing to the following address:

Records Management Branch,
20th Floor,
Empress State Building,
Empress Approach,
Lillie Road,
London,
SW6 1TR.

Useful links

History website - A comprehensive history of the Metropolitan Police from 1829 to the present. In these pages you will find descriptions of famous and lesser known events throughout the history of The Met as well as biographies of key figures and details of famous cases