The English Officers Policing Politeness

Meet the Burlington Beadles—possibly the oldest and smallest private police force in the world. For nearly 200 years, the beadles have stood guard over one of London’s most exclusive shopping centers, preventing shoppers from committing brash acts of rudeness—such as whistling, singing and hurrying. Dressed in period clothing, head beadle Mark Lord still makes sure that people mind their manners in this most (proper) English way.