How does law and order work in Britain today? - research task - Worksheet

When researching the origins and evolution of juries in Britain, here are the findings presented in bullet points:

• Juries have been a part of the British legal system for over a thousand years, with their origins tracing back to Anglo-Saxon times.
• The number of 12 people in a jury was established for several reasons, including the historical significance of the number 12 in law, religion, and society, such as 12 months in a year and 12 apostles of Jesus.
• Women were first introduced onto juries in Britain with the passing of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919, which allowed them to serve on juries from 1920.
• The Metropolitan Police Force, commonly known as "the Met," was established on 29 September 1829 and is considered the first modern and professional police force in the world.

Regarding the establishment of Scotland Yard:

• Scotland Yard, the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Service, was established in 1829.
• The name 'Scotland Yard' originates from the location of the original Metropolitan Police headquarters at 4 Whitehall Place, which had a rear entrance on a street called Great Scotland Yard.
• The headquarters were moved in 1890, and again in 1967, but the name 'Scotland Yard' continued to be associated with the Metropolitan Police.
• Although it is called Scotland Yard, it is based in London and serves as a metonym for the police force and its activities in the city and beyond.