IN response to Philip Roe’s letter of January 21 about the police, with each passing generation circumstances change to meet new challenges in society.

However, in 1829 Sir Robert Peel, after an experimental stage in Ireland while Home Secretary, introduced the new police name Peelers on to the London scene during an era of civil unrest accompanied by riots.

He designed a uniform to make the first 1,000 recruits look as much like civilians as possible.

The dress code was a dark blue knee-length coat with metal buttons, a stiff stand-up leather collar to prevent strangulation, tall leather top hat strengthened with cane and Wellington.

London Met police wore a blue-white horizontal striped armlet to indicate whether they were on or off duty.

Officers also carried a rattle to summon assistance and a truncheon of lignum vitae wood when faced with mob rule.

Introduction of the whistle and chain and oil lantern came in 1840, the modern helmet in 1867. County police forces were established in 1856.

Kenneth Bowker, Vesper Walk, Huntington, York.