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  • In 1839, Leicester Borough Police came into being as one of the first county forces in Britain
  • New technology in the 1930s included a ‘teleprinter’ to send Morse code between the Leicester and the Nottingham HQs
  • A traffic warden unit was established in 1962 to deal with the increasing problems caused by parked cars

A new home for the City Police

The medieval Leicester Guildhall was the first home of the Leicester Borough Police in 1836, then a force of 50 officers, followed in 1875 by the Town Hall. It wasn´t until 1933 that the City Police got new purpose built headquarters on the corner of Charles Street and St. Gerorges Way. The building was designed by G. Noel Hill and A.T. Gooseman of Leicester City Architects' Department.

A modern building for a modern police force

The gates in the middle led into the main drill yard. To the right of the archway was the public enquiry office, with the charge office and cell block at the rear. Two cottages at the back were converted into a garage and gymnasium.

In the 1930s new equipment was purchased enabling fingerprinting to be done on the premises and a teleprinter connected Leicester to Nottingham where Morse code signals could be sent to wireless receivers in police cars across the region. In 1936 a new switchboard was added and more than 42 lines connected police boxes and telephone posts across the city to Police HQ.

Traffic Wardens
The Traffic Warden Unit, established in 1962, Leicestershire Record Office

The first traffic wardens

To deal with increasing problems caused by parked cars in the city, a traffic wardens unit was established and in April 1961 the new team took to the streets of Leicester. This was the first use of traffic wardens outside of London and the scheme was soon adopted across the country.

The station closed in 2004 when the force moved to its current headquarters at Enderby. The building now houses offices.

Visitor information
Can be seen from the street

Gallery

Roman Leicester

(47- 500) A military fort was erected, attracting traders and a growing civilian community to Leicester (known as Ratae Corieltauvorum to the Romans). The town steadily grew throughout the reign of the Romans.

Tudor & Stuart Leicester

(1500 – 1700) The wool trade flourished in Leicester with one local, a former mayor named William Wigston, making his fortune. During the English Civil War a bloody battle was fought as the forces of King Charles I laid siege to the town.

Georgian Leicester

(1700 – 1837) The knitting industry had really stared to take hold and Leicester was fast becoming the main centre of hosiery manufacture in Britain. This new prosperity was reflected throughout the town with broader, paved streets lined with elegant brick buildings and genteel residences.

Victorian Leicester

(1837 – 1901) The industrial revolution had a huge effect on Leicester resulting in the population growing from 40,000 to 212,000 during this period. Many of Leicester's most iconic buildings were erected during this time as wealthy Victorians made their mark on the town.

Edwardian Leicester

(1901 – 1910) Electric trams came to the streets of Leicester and increased literacy among the citizens led to many becoming politicised. The famous 1905 ‘March of the Unemployed to London’ left from Leicester market when 30,000 people came to witness the historic event.

Modern Leicester

(1973 – present day) Industry was still thriving in the city during the 1970s, with the work opportunities attracting many immigrants from all over the world. While industry has declined in recent years, excellent transport links have made Leicester an attractive centre for many businesses. The City now has much to be proud of including its sporting achievements and the richness of its cultural heritage and diversity.

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