City of Bath Police

City of Bath Police 1836-1967

Formed in 1836, it voluntarily amalgamated with the Somerset Constabulary in 1967.

The old Bath police station then and now

Located on Orange Grove and built in 1865 by Charles Edward Davis, this Police station was in use until it was replaced by a new building on Manvers Street in 1966. The building was converted into a restaurant in 1998 and the prisoner cells are now the customer toilets.

There's very little remaining to suggest it was once a Police station. Fortunately the new owners retained one of the original cell doors, including vintage graffiti scratched into the surface (see below).

The old Bath Police Station 2017

The substantial front doors are original

 An original cell door now leading to the disabled toilet

Original period graffiti on the inside of the cell door

The new Manvers Street Police station had a £370,000 refurbishment in 2003. This was part of a wider scheme to spend £7m on police buildings in the Avon & Somerset Police area at that time. Police budgets have since been severely cut and Manvers Street station was sold off in 2014 as a cost saving measure.

The last of the family silver being sold off?

In recent years many Police stations have been sold off to cover budget shortfalls and debts. Property remains a high value asset, but when it's gone it's gone for good. Many old Police stations were built in locations which are now prime development sites because they were located centrally to serve the community. The Ministry of Defence has also been quick to cash in on it's extensive property portfolio.

There's been a cycle of opening and closing Police Stations over the years. Ironically the original Avonmouth Police station near Bristol was closed following re-organisation in the 1960's. A temporary 'Portakabin' was used during the interim period. The old Avonmouth Post Office building became the new Police Station in 1994, only to be auctioned off in 2016 for a mere £350,000. Perhaps after another 20 years we will see it resurrected once again?

New Police station opens in Avonmouth 1994

City of Bath Police night and day helmets

These two fine examples are a six panel cork design and were issued between 1958 and 1967.

Here's some more photographs of the helmets shown above. This first one was owned by PC 93 Stuart-Snailum, who joined the Bath City Police in 1958. When the Bath City Police became Somerset & Bath Constabulary in 1967, he was allocated a new number PC 893.

A City of Bath Police helmet which was issued in 1958

Notice how this helmet brim is much more flared that modern versions. More like a traditional pith sun helmet.

This helmet is a 'six panel' design

Notice how the tip of the helmet plate overlaps onto the helmet band

Notice how the bottom of the helmet plate is not completely flush against the helmet

Standard brass rose design retaining stud

Plastic beading around the outside of the helmet rim replaced leather

Helmet rose top made of light alloy

Red drawstring continued to be used in early cork Avon & Somerset Constabulary helmets

The officers number 93 is just visible on the leather liner

Patent leather chin strap

No wooden pegs used to retain the helmet rose top

Matchsticks were often used to retain the helmet plate

The two small bumps in the leather liner are from the helmet plate lugs

 

Here's a photograph of PC 893 Stuart-Snailum wearing the helmet featured above. In this photograph he can be seen wearing his Bath City uniform but with new collar number. This is likely to be 1967 as his Bath City Police collar number was changed from 93 to 893 after formation of Somerset & Bath Constabulary during that year. His Bath tunic has the collar badges and Bath City tunic buttons just visible. These tunics were replaced with the new Somerset & Bath Constabulary versions which used the generic Police buttons and no collar badges. It was also at this time that the new Pye pocket radios were introduced, as seen in this photograph. 

 

The night helmet here is identical in design to the above helmet since they were both issued about the same time. This one belonged to PC 20 Colwill.

On this helmet the rose top is brass

This helmet was owned by PC 20 Colwill

Bath Police 1947

This small photograph (14cm x 10cm) of Bath Police officers was enclosed with a Christmas card sent by the Chief Constable.

City of Bath Police helmet plate 1935-1953

 

City of Bath Police night helmet plate 1953-1967

This next helmet plate is unusual since it's a chrome version which has been painted black. Black helmet plates were usually blackened brass. It's possible it was done in service because of a shortage of pre-made black versions. Alternatively, it may have been painted post-service by a dealer or collector as they often sell for more than a chrome version. Bath Police stopped using their 'night helmets' at some point during the 1960's, possibly following the merger with Somerset Constabulary in 1967.

 

City of Bath Police helmet plates like those shown above are relatively rare. The first chrome version above is worth over £50.


This next badge resembles the helmet plate but is in fact a cap badge. It measures just over 6cm high and 5cm wide and has two fitting lugs on the reverse. It's of a similar style to that issued to Bristol Constabulary.

City of Bath Police cap badge 1953-1967

Rear with lugs

City of Bath Special Constabulary cap badge 1935-1953

 

The Special Constabulary cap badge above measures 5cm high and 3.5cm wide which is typical for all the circular Police badges of this style. This is the same style of cap badge as issued to Somerset Constabulary.

Rear showing slider type of fixing

City of Bath Special Constabulary lapel badge

Makers name and number stamped on rear

 

The lapel badge above was made by Thomas Fattorini, Birmingham. Fattorini is a family business founded in 1827 and they continue making badges today. This badge also has a unique number stamped on the reverse. It's relatively small at just 3cm high and 2cm wide.

This next Bath Special Constabulary enamel lapel badge dates from the WW1 period. The maker is Hiatt of Birmingham.

 

Bath Police Bowling Club pin badge:

 

 

City of Bath Police horse brass

 

City of Bath Police cape

This cape highlights the variation in uniform stock being issued. This example was issued to a Bath City Police Officer in 1958 fitted with generic Police Kings crown black horn buttons. Such buttons were only produced prior to 1953 which suggests this cape was already old stock when issued in 1958. These capes were also issued fitted with the City of Bath crest black horn buttons. Without knowing the history of this particular cape and in the absence of any labels, it would be impossible to know it was originally issued by the Bath City Police.

City of Bath Police letter dated 1960

City of Bath Police Somerset Amateur Swimming Association trophy 1938