Scotland Yard

Scotland Yard 

Scotland Yard is the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police in London. Scotland Yard is situated on the Thames Embankment close to the Houses of Parliament and the familiar clock tower of Big Ben, and its jurisdiction extends over 740 square miles with the exception of the ancient City of London, which possesses its own separate police force. 

One o f the most successful developments in Scotland Yard’s crime detection and emergency service has been the “999 system”. On receipt of a call the 999 Room operator ascertains by electronic device the position o f the nearest available police car, which is contacted by radio. Almost instantly, a message is also sent by teleprinter to the police stations concerned, so that within seconds of a call for assistance being received, a police car is on its way to the scene and all neighbouring police stations have been notified. 

There are over 3,000 detectives in the Criminal Investigation Department of the Metropolitan Police. Their job is to discover, by collecting evidence, how more serious crimes are committed and who did them. 

After at least two years as a PC or WPC in uniform, a Constable may join the CID and be trained as a detective at the Detective Training School at Peel Centre, Hendon. They learn how to find clues and collect information. They find out how to question witnesses and solve crime. 

They also learn how to present complicated cases at court. 

Detectives work in ordinary clothes. They spend a lot of time finding and talking to people who may have seen something important but may not know it. When a crimc has been committed they go to the scene and look for clues and other evidence. 

Many detectives work from local police stations solving serious crimes which happen on their scction. Or they might belong to one of the world famous Squads at Scotland Yard.  

The robbery squad concentrates on serious crimes like large robberies. The fraud squad enquires into dishonest business dealings. The drugs squad deals with people who buy or sell drugs illegally. 

Special branch helps protect state secrets and important people who might be in danger. In 1972 the anti-terrorist branch was formed, to combat people like bomber. 

Apart from the 999 Room, one o f the most interesting places in Scotland Yard is the Map Room. Here is the Central Crime Map, the Deaths by Violence Map, the Accidcnts Map and the Vehicles Recovered Map. 

An old-established section o f the Metropolitan Police is the Mounted Branch, with its strength of about 200 horses stabled at strategic points. 

These horses are particularly suited to ceremonial occasions, for they arc accustomed to military bands. 

An interesting branch of Scotland Yard is the branch of Police Dogs, first used as an experiment in 1938. Now these dogs are an important part of the Force. One dog, for example, can search a warc-house in ten minutes, whereas the same search would take six men an hour. 

There is also the River Police or Thames Division, which has its own crime investigation officers who handle all crimes occurring within its river boundaries. 

There are two other departments of Scotland Yard — the Witness Room (known as the Rogues’ Gallery) where a photographic record of known or suspected criminals is kept, and the Museum, which contains murder relicts, forgery exhibits and coining moulds. 

The name “Scotland Yard” originates from the plot of land adjoining Whitehall Palace where, in about the 14th century, the royalty and nobility of Scotland stayed when visiting the English Court. The popular nickname of the London policeman “bobby” is a tribute to Sir Robert Peel, and whose Christian name attached itself to members of the force.

 

Ex. 20. Do the following tasks (on text “ B”): 

1. Divide the text into logical parts. 

2. Give a name to cach part. 

3. Give the contents of each part in 1-2 sentences. 

4. Give a brief summary o f the whole text. 

Ex. 21. Find in the text “B” and read the sentences with the Passive Voice. Translate them. 

Ex. 22. Find and read the sentences with Participlc I. Translate them. 

Ex. 23. Give a written translation o f the passage about the “999 system” (in the text “Scotland Yard”). 

Ex. 24. Read text “C” and give a brief summary o f the text in Russian. 

The following words will help you understand the text: 

miscellaneous services — разнообразные услуги  

fail to solve the crime — не раскрывает преступление 

criminalistics technician — эксперт-криминалист preliminary — предварительный 

to arrive at the crime scene — прибыть на место преступления 

 providing aid — оказание помощи 

to secure the crime scene — оградить (обезопасить) месте преступления

the follow-up investigation — дальнейшее расследование 

available — имеющийся в распоряжении (в наличии) 

interrogation — допрос 

interview — опрос 

witness — свидетель 

search — осмотр 

modus operandi — модус операнди, способ действия, «почерк» (преступника)