Scotland Yard is the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police in London. To most people, it's name immediately brings to mind the picture of a detective - cool, collected, efficient, ready to track down any criminal.
Scotland Yard is situated on the Thames Embankment close to the Houses of Parliament and the familiar clock tower of Big Ben.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, who introduced the police force in 1829, and whose Christian name attached itself to members of the force.
