Category: POLICE

Classic Police

D183 TVK Northumbria Police Vauxhall Nova

D183 TVK Northumbria Police Vauxhall Nova dating from 1986. This car was used as a beat patrol car in the counties of Northumberland and Tyne and Wear. It is the 1.2 litre engine example producing a maximum of 55 horsepower. When being pushed to the limit by a brave driver, it would accelerate to 60 mpis a model of  in 14 seconds and go on to a nerve-wracking top speed of 94 mph.

Later models saw a wide red stripe added to the sides, with a break for the crest on the front doors. This complemented the existing police box on the roof. The illuminated box could show the word ‘stop’ on the rear only and of course the blue rotating beacon is mounted on top for maximum visibility. This is a model of the actual vehicle.

Police In Action

Tour de France – Yorkshire (2014)

In July 2014, the Tour de France cycle race staged the Grand Depart in Yorkshire for the first time. Local police were supported by neighbouring forces as well as the French Gendarmerie. An eclectic mix of vehicles were used and are shown here along with some of the scenes from the cycle race.

Police (General)

GX64 AZR North Yorkshire Police Vauxhall Corsa rural crime car. It

GX64 AZR North Yorkshire Police Vauxhall Corsa rural crime car. It carries yellow and white checker markings and badges of ‘Community Engagement Forums’ and ‘Rural Watch’.

This car is manned by police support volunteers to patrol rural areas and report upon suspicious activities as well as reassure locals. Residents play an important role as the police’s eyes and ears in isolated rural areas. Locals know their area better than anyone and know if something is out of place.

The volunteers are trained to be expert witnesses, but can also use the in-car police radio to summon a police officer if they come across something serious.

The black Corsa was introduced in December 2014 and was paid for through a partnership arrangement.

Parks Police

Kew Constabulary History

The Royal Botanic Gardens Constabulary (now Kew Constabulary) can trace their history back to the start of Kew Gardens. It was originally policed by the Metropolitan Police, but this changed after 1902. Ex-soldiers from the Boer War were recruited to work as gardeners from 6am to 1pm and constables from 1pm to 4pm. At this point in time, William Aiton was the Head Gardener in charge of policing.

Inspector Thwistleton Dwyer was instrumental in developing the service into a regular police force. His strict approach helped professionalise the body of men carrying out duties such as gate keeping, museum security and general paroling.

 

Police Sergeant Frederick Albert Ball. In 1977 he controlled five corporals and 34 constables in Kew Gardens. He reported to Honorary Inspector S Brookes and had a keen interest in the force’s history.

 

Sergeant Ernest Killick started work at Kew on Monday 14 November 1983 and was placed in charge of the constabulary. He had recently retired from North Riding of Yorkshire Constabulary (now part of North Yorkshire Police) after 30 years service. He took up residence in the gardens with his wife.

 

Head of Security Bob Potter with Constable Edward Ryan in 1995. Bob joined Kew in 1995 to take up the new role of Head of Security which included looking after the Constabulary. He was a Detective Chief Superintendent with the Metropolitan Police until he retired in 1994. Constable Ryan can be seen riding a new mountain bike, introduced to be faster than the previous generation of bikes. He does not have any cycle-specific clothing.

 

Constable Denis Longley worked at Kew from 1953 to 1997. When he started in the Constabulary he was paid £7 per week for working 51 hours. His duties included collecting money on the gates as well as keeping the peace. In the first part of his career there was no transport for the constables. Later came the introduction of bicycles. He is photographed here with his trusty bike on the eve of his retirement.

Images used with kind permission of The Kew Guild

Parks Police

Kew Constabulary Constables

Constable William Thompson is seen here guarding a cannabis plant as part of an exhibition at Kew Gardens. He is wearing the everyday uniform of the body of constables, including a Stockman hat. The uniform is very similar to the one that gardeners wear. The crest on the left breast bears the previous name of the service, the Royal Botanic Gardens Constabulary, with the current name written below.

 

Kew Constable Adele Cox is seen here carrying two cannabis plants for the same exhibition. She is wearing the blue shirt with short sleeves that carries the same force crest.

Images: RBG Kew