London’s Square Mile Has Its Own Government and Police Force

The City of London, founded as a Roman settlement around 47 AD, is a distinct district with its own administration and jurisdiction. It has about 8,600 residents, though its population can rise during university terms.

3 Nov 2026

London’s historic City of London district is not one of the capital’s 32 boroughs. It has its own governing body, the City of London Corporation, as well as separate laws, tax authorities, elections and police. The district is also known colloquially as the Square Mile, reflecting its size.

The settlement was established around 47 AD, following the Roman invasion of Britain. Its location beside the River Thames, near a point where the river could be crossed, made it suitable for a trading port. Roman Londinium covered about 1.4 square kilometres, roughly the area of today’s Hyde Park.

After the settlement was destroyed during Boudica’s revolt against Roman rule, the Romans rebuilt it. The City of London is now a major financial centre, home to the London Stock Exchange and the Bank of England.

The Office for National Statistics puts the district’s population at about 8,600. That figure can rise to around 15,000 during university terms because of student accommodation. On weekdays, more than 500,000 people may pass through the area, which also hosts businesses, universities, schools and preparatory colleges.

Sources: CNN Brasil.