The Smallest Police Station
Many people will show you this bit of London trivia - the smallest Police station in the world - but it seems that few tell you why it is there - even Diamond Geezer doesn't tell you why.
The answer is quite straightforward. Back in the 19th Century, lots of distruptive trade union types decided that the square was a good place to agitate. So the police decided that they needed an oficer to keep an eye on the troublemakers, hence the slots. That's it. The light reputedly comes off Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory.
posted by Ham at 00:03 --
Comments here: 9
Comments on "The Smallest Police Station"
-
scouter573 said ... (01:36) :
-
Cheltenhamdailyphoto said ... (11:15) :
-
Cheltenhamdailyphoto said ... (12:06) :
-
ems said ... (14:01) :
-
Olive said ... (14:09) :
-
Anonymous said ... (15:52) :
-
John Nez said ... (15:54) :
-
Cheltenhamdailyphoto said ... (20:08) :
-
Anonymous said ... (11:02) :
post a commentWhat a great trip! I started with Ham's pointer to the Diamond Geezer, then wandered by a dozen crosses, the center of London, a blind sailor, and a brass plaque to the yard, and a fire in Westminster. And Ethelred (I don't recall how he was connected, but he was in there, somehow).
I've never seen this. How fascinating! How claustrophobic it must have been. Any idea when it was last occupied? Is there a blue in there now, spying out through those slits?
or is it packed with small police?
Some people would argue with you here - they maintain it only housed a phone and cannot be called a station. Next stop Marble Arch...
Is that Trafalgar Square?? I've never noticed this...
I agree Lynn, that would be rather claustrophobic!
With the introduction of talking cctv cameras in the next few months why don't current UK police officers employ the tactic used by their 19th Century colleagues.Simply hide in the purpose built police station keep an eye out, then bark out directed warnings to troublemakers from their vantage point!. Just a thought...
So it's really just London's first CCTV... from the 19th Century.
I'd pity the poor copper trapped inside with an angry mob all about.
Very odd!
Yes,John, armed with just a truncheon and no phone for back-up. Eek.
I missed this on Tuesday somehow.... thanks for the history Ham (doubly good to be one up on DG!).