Parks Police Service


Introduction

The now defunct Parks Police Service was a small constabulary responsible for policing 87 parks and open spaces in the boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham. The police force was created through the merger of Hammersmith and Fulham Parks Constabulary and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Parks Police in 2013. In 2019, the respective councils of Hammersmith & Fulham and Kengsinton & Chelsea disaggregated their shared some of their services, including the Parks Police. As such, the Parks Police Service ceased to exist and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Parks Police and the Hammersmith and Fulham Parks Constabulary came back into existence.

Powers

Members of the constabulary were sworn as constables under section 18, Ministry of Housing and Local Government Provision Order Confirmation Act 1967. Such constables have the powers of a constable to deal with by-laws relating to parks and open spaces under their control.

Staffing

The Parks Police Service was staffed by one police inspector, five police sergeants and thirty constables.
The Metropolitan Police Service worked alongside the Parks Police Service; the former usually assists with serious crimes.

Cessation

In July 2019, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Parks Police service disaggregated with The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Parks constabulary, for once again both councils having their own sovereign service.