The name  Scotland Yard, derives from the location of the original Metropolitan Police headquarters at 4 Whitehall Place. This location had a rear entrance on a street called Great Scotland Yard.

The Scotland Yard entrance became the public entrance to the police station.Therefore, over time the street and the Metropolitan Police became synonymous.

To people the world over, Scotland Yard and it’s Inspector Lestrade, became famous with it’s association with Sherlock Holmes. This is because The Yard, and Lestrade consulting with Holmes in several stories.

The metropolitan police force moved from Great Scotland Yard in 1890. The new location being a newly completed building on the Victoria Embankment, and the name “New Scotland Yard” was adopted for the new headquarters. Therefore, New Scotland Yard remains the name by which this historic place remains called in modern times.

The site of the Yard has recently moved, from Broadway to Victoria Embankment. The offices of the Met/Scotland Yard, still remain in this location.