Port of Tilbury Police facts for kids
The Port of Tilbury Police is a special police force that looks after the Port of Tilbury and Tilbury 2. These areas are owned by Port of Tilbury London Ltd, which is part of a bigger company called Forth Ports. Unlike most police forces in the UK, they are not part of the main government police system (Home Office).
The force has a Chief of Police, a Police Inspector, three Police Sergeants, and ten Police Constables. They work to keep the port safe and follow the law.
Quick facts for kids Port of Tilbury Police |
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|---|---|
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1909 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | England, UK |
 Port of Tilbury
Location in England
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| Legal jurisdiction | Land & Property belonging to Tilbury Port and up to 1-mile (1.6 km) from same |
| Governing body | Forth Ports |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Constables | 15 |
| Facilities | |
| Stations | 1 |
| Website | |
| Official Website: https://www.forthports.co.uk/our-ports/tilbury-london/ | |
Contents
History of the Port Police
The Port of Tilbury Police started in 1909. It was first called the Port of London Police. This happened after a law called the PLA Act was passed in 1908.
Before this, three different private companies ran London's docks. Each company had its own police force. The new PLA Police brought these forces together. Their job was to police the docks and the area within one mile around them.
The Metropolitan Police also had a special unit called the Thames Division. This unit started in 1798 as the Thames River Police. They looked after shipping in the Pool of London.
Brave Officers
Between 1913 and 1951, some officers of the force sadly lost their lives while on duty. They faced dangers like accidents in the docks or around trains.
During The Blitz (a time of heavy bombing in World War II), two officers, PC Robert Charles Winney and Sergeant Charles Edward Showell, were killed by an unexploded bomb. They were honored for their brave actions in civil defense.
The Port Police Today
In 1992, the Port of London Police became smaller. It then focused only on the Port of Tilbury. This is when it got its current name. Other docks are now policed by the Metropolitan Police, especially their Marine Support Unit.
In 2000, the number of officers was reduced from 20 to 11. The CID (Criminal Investigation Department), which investigates serious crimes, was also stopped.
By 2018, there were fifteen police officers working for the force.
Police Ranks
The Port of Tilbury Police has a clear system of ranks. This helps to show who is in charge.
The ranks are shown below, from the lowest to the highest. The numbers worn by officers are called "collar numbers." They help to identify each police officer. Usually, only uniformed officers below the rank of Inspector wear these numbers.
| Rank | Constable | Sergeant | Inspector | Chief Police Officer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insignia |  |
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n/a |
Powers of Port Constables
Port constables are chosen by the port company (Forth Ports). They are officially sworn in by a local judge, called a justice of the peace. This gives them their police powers. The port company can also stop their appointment if needed.
A port constable has all the powers of a police officer within the "port police area." This area includes land owned by the port company and used for the port. Their powers also extend to anywhere within one mile of that land.
If a port constable is chasing a suspect from the port area, they keep their police powers. It is against the law to pretend to be a port constable.
Entering Vessels
A port constable can enter any ship or boat within the port police area. They can also bring other people to help them if needed. They can do this if:
- They have a good reason to think a serious crime has happened or is about to happen on the vessel.
- They need to arrest someone they are allowed to arrest.
- They believe it will help them find out about a serious crime that happened. Or, it might help stop a serious crime they suspect is about to happen in the port area.
A port constable can also take anything found on board that they suspect was stolen or obtained illegally.
Searching Vessels and Vehicles
Within the port area, a port constable can enter and search a ship, boat, or vehicle. They can do this if they have a good reason to think they will find something stolen or illegally obtained. This applies to things stolen from the port area itself, or from a vessel in a port dock or at a pier.
They can take anything found that they suspect was stolen or obtained illegally.
Stopping and Searching People
Any police officer, including a port constable, can stop and search a person within the port police area. They can do this if they have a good reason to suspect the person has or is carrying something stolen or illegally obtained. This applies to items taken from the port area or from a vessel in a dock or at a pier.
Other Rules
It is against the law to fight, block, or get in the way of a police officer doing their job. It is also against the law not to follow a police officer's lawful orders.
A police officer can hold someone who gets onto or stays on a movable bridge belonging to the Port Authority after being warned not to. This applies when the bridge is about to move, is moving, or before it is properly closed. This is if the person's name and address are not known.
For very serious or major incidents, the local police force, Essex Police, takes over responsibility.
Other Important Laws
The Prosecution of Offences Act 1985
The Port of Tilbury Police is a "specified police force." This means they can start criminal court cases with the help of the Crown Prosecution Service.
The Police Regulations 2003
The Port of Tilbury Police is the only port police force where an officer's time working there counts towards their service if they join another police force, like a local police force or the British Transport Police.
Under this law, Port of Tilbury police officers are called 'port constables'. This law allows the chief officer of a local police force to let port constables work in that local police area for port-related police business. As of July 2014, the Port of Tilbury Police had not asked the Chief Constable of Essex for this wider power.
See also
- Law enforcement in the United Kingdom
- List of law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom
