Newcastle upon Tyne City Police was the Home Office police force and a constabulary that served the city of Newcastle upon Tyne. It was formed in 1836 when Newcastle was one of Europe's biggest industrial cities. It was the first modern police force, formed three years before the County Police Act of 1839. The force had stations at Pilgrim Street in the City Centre, Arthur's Hill, Headlam Street, and Red Barnes, with section stations at Walker, Heaton, Kenton and Benwell village. The Pilgrim Street station was also a fire station. Each foot beat had a large police box where officers could rest and 'ring-in' to their main station and the public had access to a phone for advice or to summon help.