Policing in the Royal Parks dates back to 1872 when the Parks Regulation Act created a force of Royal Park Keepers. Unusually for that time, the Park Keepers were given all the powers of police constables within the Parks. In 1974 the Parks Regulation (Amendment) Act was passed and the Royal Parks Keepers became the Royal Parks Constabulary (RPC).

After a review of the RPC by Mr. Anthony Speed, The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) took on the responsibility for policing the Royal Parks on 1st April 2004. At that time the Royal Parks Operational Command Unit (OCU), fully funded by the Royal Parks Agency, was created with a mandate to provide police services to the 17 Royal Parks, Gardens and other open spaces within the Metropolitan Police District - an area in excess of 6,000 acres.

The OCU provides a service to the several million people who visit the Royal Parks every year, drawn not only by the recreational facilities and open spaces, but also by many of the capital's major tourist attractions. This service is in addition to that provided by the local OCUs in which the various Parks are located and also the numerous specialist departments such as CO11, the Public Order Branch and SO13 the Anti-Terrorist Branch.

The Royal Parks OCU goal is to "provide and be seen to provide the best possible level of policing for the Royal Parks, so as to ensure that they remain free from disturbance and the fear of crime". In other words the OCU ensures that visitors feel safe and protected. The OCU achieves this with permanent units at Bushy, Greenwich, Hyde, Regent's, Richmond and St James's Parks providing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week policing. In addition to the Police Officers, the Royal Parks OCU has a dedicated team of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), MPS Special Constables and Police Staff.

If you would like to know more about the Royal Parks OCU and its work, you can download the Policing Plan 2007/08.

For a leaflet giving advice on how to make yourself safer when out in London please click here [76kb].