British Police Headgear

[Graf]

Very Nice Thanks

On 06/04/2023 at 19:38, Dave Wilkinson said:

This particular Merseyside Police ceremonial helmet replaced the "Liverpool City" version which we talked about previously. The change took place in circa.1983. Again supplied by Christy's of Stockport, the helmet shown is the version which is worn by Sergeants and Constables. There is a helmet which has chrome plated edging to the peak which is worn by the OIC of the mounted section. You will notice that the side "roses" are smaller than the previous issue, and it includes the current (ceremonial) version of the Merseyside Police helmet plate. A sign of the times is that the plumes are now made of a synthetic material whereas the old Liverpool City versions were made of real horse hair. Traditionally, the red plume is worn by mounted drummers.

 

Dave.   

Gem

[Dave Wilkinson]

The Isle of Man Harbours Department did, up until circa. 1995, maintain its own small police force under the control of an Inspector.

 

This helmet is the last version to be issued and was worn during the winter months. A similar one but with a white finish was worn during the summer.

 

Dave.

[Dave Wilkinson]

We move to the Channel Islands, specifically the Island of Jersey. Many will be aware that between Monday 1st July 1940 and 9th May 1945, Jersey together with Guernsey and other islands in that Bailiwick were occupied by German Armed Forces.

 

Despite the German occupation the British police force on Jersey and its neighbouring islands was allowed to continue operating largely without interference.

 

Here we look at the helmet which was worn during that period alongside a photo of a Jersey Constable talking to a German officer in St. Helier shortly after the occupation.

 

Dave.   

Edited April 30, 2023 by Dave Wilkinson

[Graf]

2 hours ago, Dave Wilkinson said:

We move to the Channel Islands, specifically the Island of Jersey. Many will be aware that between Monday 1st July 1940 and 9th May 1945, Jersey together with Guernsey and other islands in that Bailiwick were occupied by German Armed Forces.

 

Despite the German occupation the British police force on Jersey and its neighbouring islands was allowed to continue operating largely without interference.

 

Here we look at the helmet which was worn during that period alongside a photo of a Jersey Constable talking to a German officer in St. Helier shortly after the occupation.

 

Dave.   

I like it The photo is very unusual and nice Thanks

[I_♥_Police]

5 hours ago, Dave Wilkinson said:

We move to the Channel Islands, specifically the Island of Jersey. Many will be aware that between Monday 1st July 1940 and 9th May 1945, Jersey together with Guernsey and other islands in that Bailiwick were occupied by German Armed Forces.

 

Despite the German occupation the British police force on Jersey and its neighbouring islands was allowed to continue operating largely without interference.

 

Here we look at the helmet which was worn during that period alongside a photo of a Jersey Constable talking to a German officer in St. Helier shortly after the occupation.

 

Dave.   

 

 

 

 

Great pictures and thanks for posting. You almost wouldnt believe it unless seen. The bobby and an enemy soldier, complete polar opposites. Very interested to hear about the Isle of Man harbours police, never knew about this at all. Do you know if IoM still issue one for winter one for summer, the summer being white? theres something which naturally interests you in seeing a white helmet as its hardly something you see much on the mainland.

[Dave Wilkinson]

38 minutes ago, I_♥_Police said:

 

Great pictures and thanks for posting. You almost wouldnt believe it unless seen. The bobby and an enemy soldier, complete polar opposites. Very interested to hear about the Isle of Man harbours police, never knew about this at all. Do you know if IoM still issue one for winter one for summer, the summer being white? theres something which naturally interests you in seeing a white helmet as its hardly something you see much on the mainland.

The Isle of Man Constabulary used to issue two patterns of helmet. One for winter (black) and one for summer (white). However, for about the last 15 years they have worn the white one all year round.

 

Thank you for your continued interest. It is much appreciated.

 

Dave.

[Dave Wilkinson]

On the subject of white helmets, we could not forget the Brighton Borough Police, who for many years were well known for their day time white summer helmets. They were introduced for daytime summer wear in 1933 and ceased six years later. They were re-introduced and worn between 1952 and the demise of the force in 1967.

 

Below is the white helmet and the night time and winter counterpart.

 

Dave.   

Edited May 1, 2023 by Dave Wilkinson

[Dave Wilkinson]

The 1953 Coronation saw large numbers of police officers from all forces in England & Wales being sent to London to assist the Metropolitan Police (See "Policing the Coronation of HM Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday 2nd June 1953").

 

Several forces equipped their men with "Home Office" pattern helmets for the occasion. These were designed to "fit in" with the style of helmet worn by the Met. Police and were described as "Mutual Aid Helmets", stocks of which were specifically held in store for such occasions.

 

The forces concerned normally wore versions which would, if worn in London, have caused their men to be somewhat conspicuous. The badges used also followed the basic star pattern design as worn by the Met.

 

The forces that I'm aware of who issued their men with these helmets are Liverpool, Manchester, Salford and Stockport. The photos below show the Liverpool helmet. Made by Christy's of Stockport, the helmet has the date 1948 stamped into the leather headband. The Watch Committee minutes for 1948 show that 400 such helmets and badge were purchased and held in store. After the Coronation, the helmets were recovered from the men and were returned to the clothing stores. Its been suggested that they were also worn by the Liverpool contingent that attended the funeral of the late King George VI, although I found no written evidence of that fact.  

 

Dave.

Edited May 2, 2023 by Dave Wilkinson

[Graf]

On 01/05/2023 at 23:12, Dave Wilkinson said:

On the subject of white helmets, we could not forget the Brighton Borough Police, who for many years were well known for their day time white summer helmets. They were introduced for daytime summer wear in 1933 and ceased six years later. They were re-introduced and worn between 1952 and the demise of the force in 1967.

 

Below is the white helmet and the night time and winter counterpart.

 

Dave.   

Thank you It is getting very interesting I like it

[Dave Wilkinson]

A Chief Constable's cap this time. This cap belonged to Major Lionel Westropp Peel-Yates KPM., who was Chief Constable of Dorset between 19th April 1924 and 28th February 1955. He was previously a District Inspector in the Royal Irish/Royal Ulster Constabulary. He was a direct descendent of Sir Robert Peel, founder of the London Metropolitan Police in 1829.

 

One of the photos shows Major Peel-Yates wearing the cap. (Photo credit Dorset Constabulary).

 

Dave.  

Edited May 4, 2023 by Dave Wilkinson

[Dave Wilkinson]

Owen Kelly QPM., was Commissioner of Police for the City of London between 1985 and 1993. Below is shown his cap and a photo of Mr. Kelly wearing it. (Photo credit the City of London Police).

 

Also shown is an example of the cap worn by Superintending ranks in the City of London Police.

 

The force is the only one in the UK to wear red and white cap bands and gold coloured buttons etc on their tunic jackets. They are also the remaining force to still use duty armlets (red and white) on their tunics.

 

Dave.   

[Dave Wilkinson]

A couple of helmets from the Dover Harbour Board Police. The force was formed in 1933, at which time the DHB terminated its policing contract with the Dover Watch Committee and replaced members of the Dover Borough Police with its own men.

 

The first helmet was worn from circa. 1933 through to the early 1960's at which time helmets were replaced by caps. In November 1985, helmets were re-introduced and the pattern shown was worn through to 1989 when the badge changed in design. The force was re-named Port of Dover Police on 1st January 1997, with a new style helmet and badge.

 

Dave. 

[I_♥_Police]

1 hour ago, Dave Wilkinson said:

A couple of helmets from the Dover Harbour Board Police. The force was formed in 1933, at which time the DHB terminated its policing contract with the Dover Watch Committee and replaced members of the Dover Borough Police with its own men.

 

The first helmet was worn from circa. 1933 through to the early 1960's at which time helmets were replaced by caps. In November 1985, helmets were re-introduced and the pattern shown was worn through to 1989 when the badge changed in design. The force was re-named Port of Dover Police on 1st January 1997, with a new style helmet and badge.

 

Dave. 

 

 

 

 

 

Awesome looking helmets and interesting that they are from such a small specialist force. Are they used much when around the port for example and do this force do much foot patrol of the docks or have you got to wear a hard-hat? This is your old force isnt it Dave in fact?

Those two City caps look absolutely amazing! How great that you can actually trace that cap back to that Commissioner for certain rather than worrying that it might have been cobbled together. What a gem. Did he give you that himself as very interested in the story behind this? Theres pictures on the net of the city commissioner in the early 2000s, cant think of his name, wearing his cap and tunic too and the buttons and insignia look absolutely great.

 

As an interesting aside, theres pictures of Commissioner Mark Bowron in a reflective jacket with his commissioner insignia sewn straight onto the epaulettes of the yellow jackets which is not something I've seen before in this way.

[Dave Wilkinson]

24 minutes ago, I_♥_Police said:

 

Awesome looking helmets and interesting that they are from such a small specialist force. Are they used much when around the port for example and do this force do much foot patrol of the docks or have you got to wear a hard-hat? This is your old force isnt it Dave in fact?

Those two City caps look absolutely amazing! How great that you can actually trace that cap back to that Commissioner for certain rather than worrying that it might have been cobbled together. What a gem. Did he give you that himself as very interested in the story behind this? Theres pictures on the net of the city commissioner in the early 2000s, cant think of his name, wearing his cap and tunic too and the buttons and insignia look absolutely great.

 

As an interesting aside, theres pictures of Commissioner Mark Bowron in a reflective jacket with his commissioner insignia sewn straight onto the epaulettes of the yellow jackets which is not something I've seen before in this way.

PoD Police are still very active. They have a "Twitter" page which  is updated most days. Helmets were originally re-introduced to comply with H&S legislation in the port and to avoid wearing plastic hard hats. However, these days they seem to wear caps. How they are able to avoid contravening current H&S I don't know. Yes, it was the last force I was in before retirement.

 

A good few years ago, I bought a large collection of City of London items from a collector who was packing in. The Commissioners cap came with it together with some other items belonging to Mr. Owen. He apparently had more than one cap. I knew Mike Bowron when he was an ACC in Kent. A really nice guy. After he retired from the City of London he moved to Jersey as their Chief of Police. Although he's retired from there now he still lives on the Island. His wife was a Det.Con. with the BTP.  

 

Glad the updates to this thread are of interest.

 

Dave.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Another small specialist force which existed between 1893 and 1993, the Manchester Ship Canal Police.

The final issue helmet and badge are illustrated together with a couple of photos taken in the 1970's of force members. (Photo credits Manchester Ship Canal Company).

 

Dave. 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Liverpool Parks Police were a non-Home Office force which existed between 1865 and 1972. It was one of a small number of parks police forces that had full unrestricted constabulary powers. The legislation used was the Liverpool Corporation Act 1921. Section 221.   

 

They were commanded by a Superintendent. He was the only Senior Officer. Ranks below him were Sergeant and Constable.

 

Shown below are the final issue helmet, cap and Superintendent's cap. This cap belonged to the final holder of that position, John J. Buchanan LL.B.(Hons).

 

The two final photos of two Constables and a Sergeant were taken in the 1960's. (Photo credits. Liverpool Corporation).

 

Dave.  

Edited May 12, 2023 by Dave Wilkinson

[Dave Wilkinson]

On 22/08/2011 at 13:38, NickLangley said:

There is one force in the UK where Inspectors' caps have silver rather than black cap braid for historic reasons.

 

As a mark of gratitude to those Liverpool City Police officers who did not strike in August 1919 the city's Watch Committee gave Constables commemorative truncheons; Sergeants received larger chevrons in silver wire, and Inspectors' caps were upgraded with silver braid. Merseyside Police continues this tradition to this day.

Whilst this posting is several years old I've only just come upon it. The information with regard to presentation truncheons is indeed correct. However, that which relates to silver braided cap peaks for Inspectors and "wide" chevrons for Sergeants is not. Photographic evidence indicates clearly that these Liverpool City Police adornments' were being worn long before the 1919 police strike. Another common misnomer is that Sergeants were issued with signalling sticks post the 1919 strike as a form of commemoration. Again, photos indicate that these were in use long before the police strike. 

 

The website "Liverpool City Police" is an excellent source of information in respect of policing on Merseyside. However, please bear in mind that some of the information submitted by contributors may not be entirely accurate.

 

Dave.

[I_♥_Police]

Really great pictures and collection. Amazing historical pieces that we would never have otherwise seen. Back in the day, pre-PACE, did the Parks mob lock many people up each year? If there was call for it, did they take on all jobs within the parks or was it all handed over to the Liverpool force?

[Dave Wilkinson]

3 hours ago, I_♥_Police said:

Really great pictures and collection. Amazing historical pieces that we would never have otherwise seen. Back in the day, pre-PACE, did the Parks mob lock many people up each year? If there was call for it, did they take on all jobs within the parks or was it all handed over to the Liverpool force?

Glad you like the photos.

 

They did deal with most offences themselves including indecency. But if female witnesses were involved, a City Policewoman would assist That said, there was no Parks CID, so if the offence was one to which a detective was required to be allocated then this would be someone from the City Police. That allocation would take place at a City Police Station to which the prisoner had been taken. That said, the arresting Park Constable would be responsible for preparing his own prosecution file for court. They did not deal with complicated crime investigations/offences as they did not have the capacity or training for for such things.

 

Most arrest prosecutions were undertaken by a City Police Inspector at the Magistrates Court although in some cases the Town Clerk's Department would undertake the prosecution. This was usually when process was undertaken by summons. In the event of a "not guilty" plea the matter would go to trial with a prosecutor being appointed by the Town Clerk's Department.

 

I'm attaching a summery of their work for the year 1969.

 

Dave. 

Edited May 15, 2023 by Dave Wilkinson

[Graf]

13 hours ago, I_♥_Police said:

Really great pictures and collection. Amazing historical pieces that we would never have otherwise seen. Back in the day, pre-PACE, did the Parks mob lock many people up each year? If there was call for it, did they take on all jobs within the parks or was it all handed over to the Liverpool force?

I agree

Dave Thank you