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London Crime Tour: Explore Police History
5.0
107 Ratings
Greater London
Join the London Police and Crime Walking Tour to uncover the real stories of cops and villains in historic London. Hear firsthand accounts of crimes and police work from an experienced officer. Don’t miss out!
Join the London Police and Crime Walking Tour to uncover the real stories of cops and villains in historic London. Hear firsthand accounts of crimes and police work from an experienced officer. Don’t miss out!
Duration:
2 hours, 15 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Bow Street - Explore the renowned Police station and Magistrates Court, the birthplace of modern policing and home to the legendary ‘Bow Street Runners’.
- Aldwych Area - Discover the location of one of London’s most tragic unsolved murders, and delve into stories of international espionage and intrigue.
- Charing Cross - At Charing Cross,…
- Bow Street - Explore the renowned Police station and Magistrates Court, the birthplace of modern policing and home to the legendary ‘Bow Street Runners’.
- Aldwych Area - Discover the location of one of London’s most tragic unsolved murders, and delve into stories of international espionage and intrigue.
- Charing Cross - At Charing Cross, listen to chilling tales of murder and chaos. Visit one of Europe’s busiest Police Stations and uncover the story behind London’s famous ‘Blue Lamp’.
- Northumberland Avenue - Enjoy a drink at the iconic ‘Sherlock Holmes Pub’, dedicated to the world-famous fictional detective created by the intriguing Arthur Conan Doyle. Then, proceed to Great Scotland Yard to witness the origins of modern policing.
- Trafalgar Square - A site of national celebrations, protests, and riots, all observed by the world’s smallest Police Station.
- Whitehall - Visit the heart of government at Downing Street. Learn about the contributions of women in policing and the role of the Police during wartime London.
- Great Scotland Yard - Discover the birthplace of the London Police, the first Police Headquarters.
- Metropolitan Police - View the iconic Revolving Sign, recognized worldwide.
What's Included
- Examining authentic historic Police regalia
- Examining authentic historic Police regalia
What's Not Included
- Gratuties. Feel free to tip the guide.
- Gratuties. Feel free to tip the guide.
Additional Information
If you enjoy police TV shows and crime dramas, come and discover the real stories of cops and villains. The ‘London Police and Crime Walking Tour’ is a unique experience in London.
This tour offers an exclusive chance to learn about the history of the renowned London Metropolitan Police.
Visit the iconic ‘Scotland Yard’.
Hear firsthand accounts of…
If you enjoy police TV shows and crime dramas, come and discover the real stories of cops and villains. The ‘London Police and Crime Walking Tour’ is a unique experience in London.
This tour offers an exclusive chance to learn about the history of the renowned London Metropolitan Police.
Visit the iconic ‘Scotland Yard’.
Hear firsthand accounts of crimes, villains, and police work from an officer with experience in both uniform and detective roles.
With an experienced tour guide, you can be confident that you are in knowledgeable, capable, and experienced hands.
Join the tour; you won’t regret it.
- This is a walking tour, at a gentle pace. Comfortable footwear is recommended. Refreshment and toilet stops will be available if required.
Location
Covent Garden
Long Acre
Outside the Underground Station main exit in James Street.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(107 Ratings)
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1 star
Steven_r
May 15, 2026
Great, Unique tour - Amazing tour about police in London..the host was a police officer for 30 years and had first hand stories of big events he was involved in in London
Review provided by Viator
Kevin
Apr 30, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An Absolute Must-Do in London — Nothing Else Comes Close - I’ve taken a lot of walking tours over the years, but the Crime and Policing London Walking Tour with Francis is in a league of its own. From the moment we set off from Covent Garden, I knew this was going to be something special.
What makes this tour genuinely exceptional is Francis himself. He served 30 years as a Metropolitan Police Officer, and that experience radiates through every single story he tells. This isn’t a guide reading from a script — it’s a man who lived this history. He wove in the history of the British criminal justice system, gave fascinating etymologies on phrases I never knew, and told personal stories from the streets, including encounters with the Queen and cases of international intrigue. I found myself hanging on every word.
The route itself is brilliantly planned. Starting at Bow Street — the birthplace of modern policing and home of the famous Bow Street Runners — and moving through landmarks like the Sherlock Holmes Pub, Great Scotland Yard, and Trafalgar Square, you get a genuine feel for how London shaped the very concept of law enforcement. Trafalgar Square even hides the smallest police station in the world — a quirky detail that sparked a great conversation. 
The group size was very small, which kept the whole experience intimate and gave everyone plenty of opportunity to ask questions.  Francis never rushed, never lost the thread, and answered every question with warmth and depth.
Incredible value, unforgettable stories, and a side of London most visitors never see. Book it. You will not regret it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Snowydog
Apr 24, 2026
Enjoyable and interesting guided tour - An excellent stroll around central London sights focussed on crime and policing in the area but with a good dose of local history thrown in. Even though I know London and its past quite well I still learnt plenty I was unaware of and had a thoroughly enjoyable two hours in the glorious spring sunshine. Great tour and recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laurawi1168bl
Apr 11, 2026
Wonderful Tour with an Expert Guide - Absolutely wonderful tour. I make it a habit of doing walking tours whenever I travel, and the best ones and the ones of most value (for my time and money both) are those where the guide has immense personal experience in the subject. That’s where Francis absolutely excels; I don’t know that there’s an area of policing he doesn’t have experience in, and any and all questions he was happy to answer. I felt this tour was exceptional— it was the perfect length; it was with someone who knew anything and everything on his subject matter; and Francis took into account some questions I had related to my masters degree and gave thoughtful responses. Also, while the subject matter was serious, it’s worth noting here that Francis is very funny. It was an enjoyable tour that at times had me laughing at, say, the origin of a common phrase.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
T8690ausoniaw
Mar 12, 2026
A unique tour. - Our guide walked us through the area of the Strand and Covent Garden up to Scotland Yard for 2 hours.It was a very enjoyable and interesting tour with all the invaluable anecdotes, Francis was telling us thanks to his own personal experience in the Police and Royal security.
We definitely recommend him and his tour.
Thank you for a very pleasant walk.
Sonia and Gary
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gilliangu4185bc
Mar 8, 2026
Crime and Policing walking tour. - I joined the Crime and Police walking tour with four friends on 6th March 2026. We were part of a group of 19, organised by the Civil Service club in London.
The tour guide was Francis Mullan. Francis was organised, experienced, punctual and knowledgeable. His passion for tour guiding shone through while his stories were educational and delivered in a very entertaining manner.
Francis held everyone's attention for the full two hours.
I would strongly recommend this tour and the tour guide.
Gillian Gardner.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jodi_g
Feb 14, 2026
Enjoyable solo tour - Guide is extremely knowledgeable and friendly. I had a private tour and it was very enjoyable walking around and learning about the history of the city. I work in the law and found it informative.
Review provided by Viator
Himanshuvyas
Dec 15, 2025
Lovely experience and highly recommended for all ages. - It was a wonderful experience, peppered with interesting anecdotes dating back in time. Francis is lovely and his enthusiasm for the city of London, policing and sharing are very charming. Commendable energy, insight and enthusiasm made for a memorable walk for us.
I am looking forward to going with Francis on other walks that he curates, he does so much for the research and remembers it all as we trundle down the alleys of London. Simply loved the walk, that you Francis :-)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
870antonc
Oct 18, 2025
Five star London crime tour - Parents can be notoriously difficult to buy gifts for. As my mum is into crime, policing, and walking tours, I thought I’d look for a tour combining the three. Enter the Crime and Policing London Walking Tour - a fascinating tour of London’s crime and policing past led by a former police officer and detective.
As a London native, I like to think I know the city well, but this tour taught me lots of new things about London - taking us down backstreets and to spots I never knew existed.
A good guide always helps with a walking tour, and our guide was fantastic - drawing on his knowledge of the city to paint picture which only a good storyteller can provide. I can’t recommend this tour enough.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anthea_h
Sep 12, 2025
Discovering London’s Crime and Policing Past with a Fantastic Guide - I recently joined the Crime and Police Walking Tour in London with two family members, and we all had a fantastic experience. Our guide, Francis, was punctual, welcoming, and incredibly knowledgeable. The tour was very well-organised and ran smoothly from start to finish. The pace was just right, giving us plenty of time to take everything in without ever feeling rushed. Along the way, we learned fascinating facts about London’s history, crime, and policing, many of which were completely new to us. It was a perfect mix of storytelling and historical insight, making the tour both informative and very enjoyable. For the quality of the experience, we also felt it was excellent value for money. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in London’s past or looking for a unique and engaging way to explore the city.
Review provided by Viator