Tolbooth Regulations 1579 and Prisons Act 1597
Extract from The Book of the Old Edinburgh Club, Vol IV p 95/6,104
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Tolbooth Regulations 1579.

Prisons Act 19 December 1597.

The forerunner of the Town Guard and the High Constables of Edinburgh,  followed from an order of the Privy Council. On 6 September 1611,  the Town Council  appointed twelve officers and twenty six men to be constables in charge of districts  with powers to apprehend wrongdoers. In time the local ordinances and bye laws extended very considerable powers  to them.