Port of Bristol Police

Port of Bristol Police 1884-present

 
The Port of Bristol Police operates independently within the boundaries of the Avon & Somerset Constabulary force area. It's designated a non-Home office Police force because it's controlled by the local authority. It has 20 uniformed Police officers. Being such a small Police force, it's Chief Officer is an Inspector.

Port of Bristol Police Officer

Some, or most of  the uniform they use is sourced from the Avon & Somerset Police uniform stores. From a collectors point of view, any memorabilia relating to the Port of Bristol Police is rare because items are produced is such small quantities. Helmet plates for this Force are scarce and sought after by collectors so values are considerably more than for most other Police forces. Port of Bristol Police badges are rare but they do appear on eBay from time to time. 

Some of the first helmets used by the Port of Bristol police were the same as those used by Bristol Constabulary. These were six panel 'ball top' helmets. Bristol Constabulary used the same helmets in the early 20th century but were adorned with a metal chain. The example below dates from around the late 1930's. This helmet had found its way to the USA after being 'appropriated' by an American soldier during WW2. In recent years it returned to its home town of Bristol in the UK. Note that the interior is lined with black material typical of this period. Helmets made from the 1940's changed to green lining. This helmet also has just one ventilation eyelet on each side.

Example 1: Port of Bristol Police helmet c. 1930's

Wooden pegs are used to secure the ball top

Wooden pegs also used to secure the helmet plate

Evidence of the broken chin strap

Soft leather headband with white cotton drawstring

Port of Bristol helmet plate version 1

The Port of Bristol Police later adopted the rose top custodian helmet which is still used today. Initially, the same helmet plate was used, but this was later changed to a star design as seen further below. I believe these helmets were considered as trophies by sailors and soldiers passing through Avonmouth docks and can be found for sale both in the UK and around the world.

I have no information on when the helmet plate changed to the star design, but can only speculate that it may have been during the late 1960's. The star helmet plate was still being used in the late 1970's. This version of the helmet is scarce. The Port of London Police also adopted the same style of helmet plate during this period (see also below).

Port of Bristol Police helmet plates used until the late 1960's

These helmet plates are constructed from three pieces - crest, oval and number. The chrome helmet plate on the left is newer and has the number fixed with two prongs. Earlier versions were made from 'white metal' as seen on the cork helmet above. The black 'night' helmet plate uses metal pins to secure the chrome number. These are valued around £40-£80 and despite their rarity, they do occasionally appear on eBay.

Example 2: Port of Bristol Police helmet c.1970's

Port of London Police helmet

Port of Bristol Police helmet plate version 2 1970's

This 'star' version can be found with a nickel plated chrome finish or later versions can be chrome plated as shown here. These helmet plates are valued at about £70.


The third version of the helmet plate to be issued adopted the standard Brunswick star with the City of Bristol crest in the centre as seen below. This helmet was supplied by Avon & Somerset Police stores so is the same helmet they used. There are some numbers just about visible on the inside liner straps. These were often used to show the size and year of manufacture. In this case it appears to show size 59 and possibly from 1994, when this type of lining was used. These helmet plates are highly sought after and some collectors or dealers are even prepared to remove them from helmets, which is a shame. This helmet belonged to PC29, which is inscribed on the underside. The low number is further evidence this is a genuine Port of Bristol helmet since they only employ a small number of constables.

Example 3: Port of Bristol Police helmet c. 1990's

 

 

Light alloy helmet rose

Brass rose motif used to secure the helmet band

Helmet liner

Two numbers stamped on the liner are just visible indicating the size: 59

More numbers stamped on the liner strap: 94/..... which could be the year 1994

Owners number scratched onto the inside

 'Netting' liner which would have been covered in black foam

Here's a selection of Port of Bristol Helmet plates which have come onto the market in recent years. They consistently sell for around £70

This 'other ranks' Port of Bristol Police cap badge is rarely offered for sale

Port of Bristol Police cap badge 

     

 

Port of Bristol Police (Dock Police) collar badge c.1884

Two examples of this rare badge have appeared on eBay over the last few years. In February 2020 one sold for £52 and in April 2021 another one with 5 buttons sold for £25.

These collar badges were also used by the Bristol Constabulary mounted section ceremonial high collar tunics. They continue to be used by the Avon & Somerset mounted section with their ceremonial uniform. See also my post on 'other metal badges'.

Port of Bristol Chief Officer's tunic

This Port of Bristol tunic is particularly scarce since it belonged to the Chief Police Officer. Being such a small Police Force of just 20 uniformed officers in 2007, an Inspector is the highest rank. In 1977 there were 66 officers. There are two small buttons on each sleeve cuff, which is typical for   senior ranks of Inspector and above. The maker is Grantham. Despite the rarity, there's not much interest from collectors and such tunics don't sell for much. It can be the case that the buttons more desirable than the tunic, which is why they're often removed. Unfortunately that leaves an anonymous tunic with it's history stripped away. Such a tunic would be best preserved in a museum. 

Port of Bristol Police Chief Officer's tunic made by Grantham

Chrome metal rank 'pips' denoting Inspector

Brass cotter pins to secure the rank 'pips'/Bath stars

Port of Bristol Police tunic button

This next button is the same design but finished in brass. The brass versions were used by Port of Bristol Authority staff (non-Police). These were probably used until the late 1960's.

Port of Bristol Authority brass button

Port of Bristol Police black horn button from a cape or greatcoat

Port of Bristol Police porcelain mug

Porcelain mug celebrating 100 years of Avonmouth docks

Port of Bristol Police tie pin badge

Made by the Rocket Badge Company