Bow Street Police Museum, Devon Travel Guide

London’s First Police and a Famous Court

On this site in Covent Garden, policing in London took its first organised form. In the 18th century, magistrate Thomas de Veil opened a court at 4 Bow Street, laying the groundwork for what would become London’s first official law enforcement service. His successor, Henry Fielding, created the Bow Street Runners – a small, paid force of officers who patrolled the streets and pursued criminals, earning a reputation as London’s first professional police. Their legacy continued through the Metropolitan Police, whose officers later walked the same streets of Covent Garden.The current building, dating from 1881, combined a police station and magistrates’ court under one roof. For over a century, it was a central hub of justice in the capital, handling everything from minor street offences to high-profile national cases. The museum now occupies part of this historic complex, preserving the stories of those who worked here and those who passed through its doors.

Cells, Courts and Famous Names

The museum is housed in the former police station, where original holding cells have been converted into intimate galleries. Visitors can stand in the very cells where drunks, petty criminals and political agitators once spent the night, including the large ‘tank’ cell used for holding multiple people. Nearby, the adjacent magistrates’ court heard cases that captured public attention across the country.Among the famous figures associated with Bow Street are Oscar Wilde, who was detained here in 1895 over charges related to his sexuality; the Pankhurst sisters and other Suffragettes, who stood in the dock for their militant activism; and the Kray twins, whose 1968 murder trial began at this court. The museum also remembers pioneering officers such as PC Norwell Roberts, the Met’s first Black officer, and WPC Lee-Jane Yates, its first female Chinese officer, both of whom served at Bow Street.

A Story of Crime and Justice

Rather than focusing solely on policing, the museum now presents a broader narrative of crime and justice on Bow Street over nearly 300 years. Exhibits trace the evolution of law enforcement from 18th-century watchmen with lanterns and rattles to modern detectives and forensic science. Visitors encounter stories of investigations, arrests, trials and the changing nature of justice, including how social attitudes shaped what was considered a crime.Alongside the official history, the museum also reflects on the experiences of ordinary people who came into contact with the law – victims, witnesses, defendants and families. Through personal accounts, photographs, documents and audio interviews with former officers and court staff, it offers a human perspective on the machinery of justice in one of London’s most famous legal venues.