Depredations on the Thames Act 1800
The Depredations on the Thames Act 1800 (39 & 40 Geo 3 c 87) was an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain, granted royal assent on 28 July 1800.[1] As alluded to in its long title, it amended the Thefts upon the Thames Act 1762. It is sometimes popularly known as the Marine Police Act.
Long title | An Act for the more effectual Prevention of Depredations on the River Thames, and in its Vicinity; and to amend an Act made in the second Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, to prevent the committing of Thefts and Frauds by Persons navigating Bum Boats, and other Boats upon the River Thames |
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Citation | 39 & 40 Geo 3 c 87 |
Dates | |
Royal assent | 28 July 1800 |
Status: Repealed |
Established two years earlier, the Marine Police Force was initially run and funded by the West Indies merchants whose cargoes in the Pool of London it was principally intended to protect. The Act converted it to a publicly-run and publicly-funded body, increased its establishment to 88 men and set out regulations for how they were now to operate under the Home Secretary's direct supervision, thus laying the groundwork for the Force's absorption into the Metropolitan Police in 1839.[2]
The Act was amended and renewed by the Depredations on the Thames Act 1807 (47 Geo. 3 Sess. 1 c 37),[3] the Depredations on the Thames Act 1814 (54 Geo. 3 c 187),[4] the Police Magistrates Metropolitan Act 1822 (1 Geo. 4 c 66),[5] the Police Magistrates, Metropolis Act 1833 (1833 (3 & 4 Will. 4) c 19)[6] and finally the Justices of the Peace in Metropolis Act 1837 (7 Will. 4 & 1 Vict. c 37).[7] The Marine Police were finally absorbed into the Metropolitan Police via the Metropolitan Police Act 1839.
References
- "The Statutes at Large, of England and of Great Britain..., Volume 20, pages 494 to 505".
- "Thames Police Museum - History".
- "The Statutes of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Volume 21, page 78 to 84".
- "The Statutes of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, 1814, p 955 to 971".
- "The Statutes of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Volume 26, pages 766 to 778".
- "The Statutes of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Volume 13, p 37-50".
- "The Statutes of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Volume 14, p 548".