Police rowing boat off the entrance to London Docks.

Police rowing boat off the entrance to London Docks. © National Maritime Museum, London

Repro ID: H4490

Description: River Police checking the water quality at the Wapping entrance to the London Docks. Formed in 1839, the Thames Division of the Metropolitan Police was based at Wapping River Police Station. As well as fighting crime, the police had other tasks, such as dealing with social unrest in the port and carrying out rescue work in the river.

Creator: Unknown

Date: c. 1890s

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London