A retired Portsmouth City Police Officer writes about his memories of this station:

"I lived in the flat next door to the Cross at 8b London Road, North End when I got married in 1956. I Lived there for about a year. Letting the lost dogs out of the kennels before going to bed, ready for early turn next day. Handing out cigars at 5 am to the night shift when my first son was born whilst I was on nights.

Waiting for the skipper to call out  "Parade" and stepping across the alleyway from the front door, which in itself was courting danger as the blokes kept bikes at the back of the nick and motor cycles roared up the side of the place."

(Terry is compiling a history of Policing in Portsmouth and would be interested to hear from anyone who has documents, photographs, artifacts etc. on the subject)

In January 1836 the Portsmouth Watch and Ward Committee recommended the establishment of a regular Police Force to replace The Watch.
The following ranks were attested:

6 Head Constables at £40 per annum

12 Ordinary Constables at £10 per annum

12 Night Constables at 14/- per week each.

The three principal Watch Stations (note watch stations, not Police Stations) were to be appointed as follows:-

One in the town of Portsmouth

One in the town of Portsea

One in that part of Portsea outside the wails.

By way of explanation for those not familiar with the history of Portsmouth, at this time Portsmouth as mentioned above, is the area now known as Old Portsmouth. Portsea was the area around the Portsmouth Naval Base (formerly the Dockyard) and both areas were surrounded with massive wails, and gates, so that at that time Portsmouth was the most heavily defended town in Europe.

Inner side - Landport Gate doors. 
The route through these gates, to the north, led across a moat

The Watch Houses selected were:-

For the town of Portsmouth - 

The Council Chambers of the old town hall in High Street

For the town of Portsea – 

The Watch House in St George's Square, Portsea

For that part of Portsea, outside the wails:-

Two rooms in Mr.Purchase's in Union Road, Landport. 

(Union Road was that portion of the present Commercial Road, between Edinburgh Road and Lake Road).

Landport Gate today, still in position

Specifications included conditions that part of the building should be faced with kiln burnt picked bricks of the island of Portsea and the old cage doors were to be renovated and affixed to the new building.

On the 12th February 1844, the Watch Committee reported to the Council that the building had been completed at a total cost of £310.8s.l0d.

On the 6th September 1856 'The Hampshire Telegraph' urged the removal of the stocks from the front of the Portsea Police Station as.... "they were neither useful or ornamental." They were later removed to the Corporation stables in Park Road, and have been lost to history.

However by 1921 the Police Station ceased to be used for Police purposes, and was taken over as an office by the Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals. This agreement followed as no purchasers could be found for these premises. They were offered to the P.D.S.A. at a rental of animals. weekly.

Fourteen years later, on the 4th September 1966, the Town Clerk reported that the old Police Station in Ordnance Row, Portsea, which was held by the P.D.S.A. on a quarterly tenancy would, subject to Home Office approval, that the site be sold to Shell Mex and B.P. Ltd., for £500, with an obligation, upon the purchasers to demolish the building. The purchasers having made arrangements with the P.D.S.A. for alternative accommodation, and the latter stated that they would vacate the premises on 30th September 1956.

These premises too, suffered a similar fate, as the old building, as they were to be demolished. Today there are no sign of (i) the old Police Station, (ii) the P D.S.A. office, or (iii) the petrol filling station.

This state of affairs came about in 1836, that as well as establishing a proper Police Force, for the first time ever the responsibility for protecting Portsmouth from fire, shifted from volunteer and parish brigades, plus whatever military assistance could be begged, to the shoulders of the Police under the surveillance of the Watch Committee.

The Police Fire Brigade consisted of a small nucleus of policemen-firemen, who would turn out and man the first fire engine to answer a call.

By the 18th January 1876 the Chief Constable recommended that the Fire Brigade should consist of 24 members of the force, to be taken proportionally from several Divisions. The patrol duties being to regulated that 12 of the Brigade men should always be on duty, in readiness for fires. He further suggested the provision of brass helmets and waterproofs for such men.

The Police Fire Brigade Headquarters was situated in Park Road, opposite the Guildhall, which included stables for the horses.

However, with the advent of motorised fire appliances, the horses were sold off and proposals were made on the 24th March 1931, that the police Fire Brigade stables should be converted into garages for the expected two C.I.D. cars.

The Police Fire Brigade ceased to exist in August 1941, when, together with the Auxiliary Fire Service, it became part of the National Fire Service.

Strangely enough, although later, the Fire Brigade Headquarters were altered, they too, became a public house, and similarly to Southsea Police Station, they were named, “The Fleet and Firkin’.

was demolished and a new one erected on one side of the High Street. Part of the premises abutting onto Pembroke Road was utilised by the Portsmouth Borough Police.

The total cost was £3,500 -£2,500 of this being advanced by the Council, and the remaining £1,000 being subscribed.

However, on the 8th July 1854, the Council resolved that a Police Station should be erected on the site of Tollervey’s Pond (near the site of Queen Victoria's statute in the Guildhall Square). The price was not to exceed £700 and the building to be completed with ten weeks.

But “The Hampshire Telegraph”, on the 11th August 1855 commented  ‘This building was commenced nearly simultaneously with the Siege of Sebastopol and the two undertakings promised to be completed at about the same time. Statistics will show that the average length of time building each cell has been about six weeks. The Station was not completed, although every week now sees an additional number of rails fixed up, and first, one door or window sash, and then another received its coat of paint”.

When this building was eventually completed however it was acclaimed as “a small arid very neat looking station”.

In 1890 the new Guildhall was opened on its present site in Portsmouth, and on the 10th January 1891, the Portsmouth Police Headquarters, moved from the Landport Police Station, to premises at the south-west corner of this new Guildhall, near the Railway Station. The were 11 cells.

During the heavy blitz on Portsmouth in 1941, (10th January) when the Guildhall was badly damaged by fire, Police and Council officials were forced to evacuate to other sites around the City.

One speaker stated that at that time the Policeman for the area had a five mile beat and if he apprehended anyone and marched him to the Landport Police Station, the district would be unguarded for hours.

Another speaker, who suggested that a site near Kingston Cross would be more suitable, was ignored.

The Lock-up would be used to keep the prisoner, until the constable was relieved. He would then take the prisoner with him to Landport.

The estimated cost of the Buckland Police Station was £220.

In 1896 the Buckland Police Station was replaced by the Kingston Cross Police Station.

As far as it is known, no photographs exist of the lock-up, although the building itself is still in existence today. At one time the premises were used as a cake shop belonging to a well known bakery firm in Portsmouth.

Nowadays the building is used as offices for a local estate agents.

When the former opened it cost £2,875 and it included a Corporation Library. The Division at that time was known as “D” Division, and had a strength of sixty one.

On the 3rd July 1948, the Library and Museum's Committee, were of the opinion that the Chief Constable would have less difficulty than the City Librarian, in finding alternative accommodation for the Police Stations in Albert Road, and Kingston Crescent and that the Libraries Committee were in urgent need of the accommodation now being used by the Police at these premises.

The Committee passed a resolution that the matter be referred back to the Watch Committee, with a suggestion that the Chief Constable seek alternative accommodation now occupied by them, made available for the City Librarian. The Chief Constable was requested to look into the matter, as to the possibility of other suitable accommodation being made for these two Police Stations.

The Station had been built at a cost of more than £87,000 - a far cry from the £2,875 spent to build the former Kingston Cross Police Station.

Kingston Crescent Police Station was to undergo vast alterations, being extended to the rear and above the premises. Eventually it was to become the Divisional Headquarters of ‘K” Division of the Hampshire Constabulary, following the amalgamation of the force.

On the 23rd December 1930, arising from a discussion, it was resolved that the Chief Constable be authorised to have a Police Box, with a telephone, erected at Portsbridge and that the Parks Committee be asked to consent to the Box being erected on their land.

Permission appears to have been granted, as on the 24th November 1931, it was resolved that an ordinary Post Office line be installed at the newly erected Portsbridge Police Box, with a dialling instrument. The Chief Constable stated that he would have a man permanently posted near the box.

Like many other important buildings, during the Second World War, the Portsbridge Police Box was protected by sandbags.

Although the Box survived the war, it sadly, did not survive progress. It, along with the single carriageway of the old A3 Portsmouth to London Road, was demolished and now the road from Portsmouth over Portsbridge Creek, is a three lane carriageway, in and out of Portsmouth, travelling around a large round-about, part of its unique make-up is the sea itself.

On the 3rd March 1942, the Chief Constable submitted a sketch of a proposed Police Box, which he suggested should be erected on land at the junction of Eastern Road and Havant Road, Farlington. The matter was left to the Chairman, Vice Chairman and one member to deal with. The price not to exceed £100. Resolved that they also visit sites at "The George Inn” at the top of Portsdown Hill and at Portchester, near the City boundary, where the Chief Constable recommended other Police Boxes should be erected.

It was decided that this piece of land should be brought, in order that a Police Station could be built. The areas of Southsea and Eastney becoming more populous.

So, on the 25th ,June 1907, it was resolved that the plans showing the Police Station at Eastney, should be approved, and sent to the Council, with a recommendation for approval, and that application should be made to the Local Government Board, for sanction to borrow £1,000, the estimated cost of the building. Later, the Council adopted this recommendation.

On the 31 at July 1908, the plans of Eastney Police Station were altered to enlarge 2 rooms, at an increased cost of £300 - the new total was to be £1,700.

By the 28th September 1909, the deputy Borough Engineer reported, as to the near completion of Eastney Police Station, and arrangements he was making, in view of the fact that the contractors had gone into liquidation.

At one time this new Police Station, was manned by a police officer, his wife, and family. This was borne out by the fact that on the 20th May 1919, the Chief Constable reported that Eastney Police Station would be fully opened, as soon as sufficient numbers of members of the Portsmouth Police Force were released from military service.

The situation must have improved, as it was reported that the new Eastney Police Station came into being. It was so comfortably equipped that “The Hampshire Telegraph” reported that it had been dubbed "The Health Resort” by members of the Force. Twenty three members of the Force at this Police Station were responsible for policing this rapidly growing suburb.

Many years later, as the result of streamlining of Police operations in the southern areas of Portsmouth, and the advent of the “panda” cars on “unit beat policing”, meant the closure of Eastney Police Station.

Several articles appeared in the local press, with such headlines as, ”Pandas To Take Over At Eastney” and “Eastney Police Station Closure Riles Councillors”.

However, despite the protests, Eastney Police Station did close and eventually the premises were leased to a Mr. Phillips, engaged in the repair of wheelchairs for the disabled.

Unfortunately, the Police Station was to suffer a similar fate of other such buildings arid it was demolished. The site has never been built on, since that time.

Eventually 22 tenders were received for the building of a new Cosham Police Station. The tender from J.H. Day, Farlington for £49,030 was accepted.

On the 1st July 1952, this new Cosham Police Station at the junction of Northern Road and Wayte Street, was opened by the Lord Mayor (Alderman Albert Johnson. M. P.).

Retired Chief Inspector, Ian Brett, remembers the week leading up to the opening well, "As, along with 4 others, who were all waiting to go to Sandgate, we were given razor blades and told to scrape off the paint spots, which the painters had left on the heavy duty linoleum flooring in all the rooms.  We did that for 5 days as an introduction to the Police Service. We were, myself PC 171 Brett, PC 172 Jack Hussey (deceased), PC 175 Fred Seymour, who later joined the Mets and became a sergeant and PC Smith"

"Our starting salary was £8-10-0d a week + boot and torch battery allowance.  Meal breaks lasted 30 minutes."

He goes on to add, "In 1952 there were only ever 2 cars in the Cosham yard - the Superintendent's Morris Minor and an old black Ford Popular which was the CID car!!   The cycle racks were, of course, always full.  Compare that to the situation today."

Following the amalgamation of the force, the whole of Portsea Island, with its Police Stations became “K” Division of the new Hampshire Constabulary. Cosham Police Station, being the only such station of the “main land” became part of “J” Division of Havant.

On the 14th January 1941, arrangements were made with the Education Committee, for “A” Division to be accommodated in part of the Municipal College.

However, as the result of a request from the Education Committee an the 5th December 1944, "A” Division moved from the Municipal College building to St.Michael’s Vicarage, in St.Michael’s Road, Southsea.

The lease for these premises was renewed for a further 7 years from the 25th December 1948 at a rent of £300 per annum.

The “new” Central Police Station in Hyde Park Road (now Winston Churchill Avenue) was opened on the 31 at July 1959 by Sir Charles Cunningham, Permanent Under Secretary of State. The Police Station was built at a cost of more than £51,000 and was the first of the new buildings which were to form part of the new Civic Centre.

But by the 14th June 1873, the first Southsea Police Station was erected on Corporation land, at the junction of Albert Road and Victoria Road North. The date over the doors of older Police Stations help to trace the growth of Portsmouth and this Station was no exception.

When it opened, the Police Division of Southsea Police Station numbered twenty eight and the first prisoner “run in”, was a lad for playing “pitch and toss”.

On the 28th July 1891, a letter was read from the Chairman of the Library Committee, submitting a plan, to propose alterations to Southsea Police Station, to enable a branch library to be established there. The proposal was adopted.

On the 4th December 1934, Messrs. E.& E. Smee, stated that they did not propose to continue the arrangements under which they cared for the garden in front of Southsea Police Station. Resolved that the Parks, Open Spaces and Cemeteries Committee be asked to take over the care of the garden.

On the 7th December 1948 “C” Division (Southsea) moved from the Albert Road Police Station site, to 'Craneswater Tower '16 Festing Road, Southsea, to enable the Station to be rebuilt. These Festing Road premises had been compulsory purchased on the 19th January 1948.

Following the rebuilding of the Albert Road premises, Southsea Police Station was opened by the Chairman of the Watch Committee (Councillor Clark) on the 19th March 1956.

The property at 16 Festing Road, Southsea, formerly used as Southsea Police Station, was sold by public auction in June 1956, for the sum of £8,000- a net loss to the Corporation of £4,491.1 8s. 4d. These figures were given to the City Council, after Councillor Bell had sought this information from the Chairman of the Watch and Fire Brigade Committee (Councillor Clark)

Councillor Clark said that the value of the premises was assessed in 1947 at £8,000 - the Corporation negotiated purchase for £6,700, on top of which, there were surveyors fees and stamp duties, totalling another £281.17s.6d.

After providing for development charges, which were payable to the Central Land Board, the total cost to the Corporation was £12,491.18s.4d. Asked by Councillor Bell, if he was satisfied that this transaction represented good business acumen, the Chairman said he did not,” I am very dissatisfied indeed” he said.

The former library in Albert Road was converted into Southsea Police Station, in place of the Festing Road building at a cost of £29,000.

In April 1994 the Police Station was closed and Southsea Police Station was relocated in the former City of Portsmouth Passenger Transport H.Q. in Highland Road, Southsea.

And what of the “old Albert Road site?”. It was placed on the market with a freehold asking price of £125,000. It was eventually purchased by the Horndean based brewery Gales Ales”, and turned into a public house. These premises were then named, “The Fuzz and FIRKIN”. (I will make no comment on the name, other than to explain that a “firkin” is a liquid measure, equal to the fourth part of a barrel - 9 gallons of liquid).

The passing of this old Police Station could not go without a little “get together,” so on Monday 11th April 1994, past and present officers, and civilian staff joined together at these premises, to swap tales, and say a "final farewell" to their old station.

Recently, this public house has now been renamed, “Goose at Victoria and Albert”.

The north-eastern outpost of Portsmouth City Police - the Farlington Police Box, top of Eastern Road, on the old city boundary.

They visited four sites viz.

(1)  on the east side of Fratton Road, opposite Arundel Street cost £1075

(2) a dwelling house on the west side of Fratton Road, opposite Alver Road - £720

(3) a corner house, with land, on the corner of St. Mary’s Road and Guildford Road - £850

(4) a piece of land on the west side of  Fratton Road next to the “Museum Gardens” public house - £648 (now The Contended Pig PH).

They decided on the last site, and recommended the purchase of the site conditionally that the full committee erect a Police and Fire Station thereon. Also to be included at the rear of the Station was to be a Section House for single men and the Bridewell, the main cell block for Portsmouth.

On the 22nd November 19O4 - £648 for the purchase of the site was sanctioned by the Local Government Board.

The Fire Brigade an s Police Station was at 251 & 253 Fratton Road. In 1911 the Supt. was Alfred Day and his Inspectors were, Harry Taylor, William Broadbridge and Samual Moth

By the 11th May 1920, it was resolved that a bicycle be purchased for the use of the inspectors at Fratton Police Station.

This Fratton Division, comprising of Fratton, Kingston Cross and Cosham had been known as “D” Division, but on the 25th February 1928, it should be known as “'B' Division.

During the Second World War, the Section House at Fratton Police Station was required for other purposes, and on the 4th February 1941, the 19 single men were to be placed in lodgings. Many years later such men would be housed in the Police Hostel Nos. 7, 8 and 9 Portland Terrace, Southsea, together with married quarters at Nos. 4, 5 and 6 Portland Terrace.

Eventually Fratton Police Station and its sub-station at Kingston Cross were replaced by the “new” Kingston Crescent Police Station, in Kingston Crescent. This Station was later extended to include the Portsea Island Divisional Headquarters, replacing Byculla, Queen's Crescent, Southsea, following the amalgamation of the Portsmouth City Police Force, the Southampton City Police Force and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, to form the present Hampshire Constabulary.

Strangely enough this station is now known as Fratton Police Station.

1966 Promotion photograph of 24 officers

On the 4th December 1925, the Chairman reported the receipt of a letter from Mr.A.W. Field stating that he brought 32 Windsor Road  (the house next to the Police Station) from a Mr. Brown far the sum of £670, and asked whether the Committee desired to secure the premises from him, for the same price. The Chairman explained the desirability of the Fire Appliance and members of the Cosham Police Station being housed together, and that the present High Street premises used by the Police were rented from Mr.J.C. Long an a monthly tenancy at an annual rental of £20 - the tenants paying rates and keeping the premises in good repair.

This would appear to refer to No.52 High Street, Cosham which housed a Volunteer Fire Brigade Station. Resolved to be recommended to the Council that 32 Windsor Road be purchased for £670.

Another reference is made on the 4th September 1945, when the Chief Constable reported that the temporary bullring used as a Police Station at Northern Road, Cosham had become uninhabitable, owing to the partial collapse of the roof and excessive dampness. Arrangements approved for personnel to be housed at the Windsor Road Police Station and for the Main Control to be housed in the adjoining premises.

On the 21st March 1952 it was decided that the old Windsor Road Police Station be converted into 2 dwellings for police families.

On the let July 1952, when tenders were opened for the conversion of Windsor Road Police Station into police housing, the lowest tender which was accepted, was for £1890 from Messrs. Healy & Evans Ltd.

On the 4th September 1945, the Chief Constable suggested that during the August Bank Holiday week-end, that a mobile Police Station should operate from Southsea Esplanade, just east of the Rock Gardens. He suggested that a suitable coach should be purchased from the Royal Navy.

On the 7th May 1946, it was decided that such a Mobile Police Station should operate during the summer months at South Parade Pier, at an approximate cost of £200.

This suggestion must have been agreed, as on the 11th June 1946, the Chief Constable raised no objections to the ‘Daily Mail” newspaper taking photographs of this mobile Police Station.

Many years later, a similar scheme was put into operation with a mobile Police Station, being based at Southsea Police Station in Albert Road, Southsea

Other schemes put into operation to cope with the vast influx of visitors to Southsea sea front, during the summer months, was the building of the Southsea Police sub-Station. This sub-station was situated east of the “D’ Day Memorial Gardens, alongside the office used by the inspectors of the City of Portsmouth Passenger Transport Department.

This sub-station was used by Police officers detailed for “Sea Front Duties” which included one PC. on traffic duty on the road outside the steps to South Parade Pier, and four other officers on patrol, working two on  8 am - 4 pm and two on 4 pm. to 12 midnight duty, on alternative weeks.

To assist Police officers on a similar duty, this time 10 am - 6 pm. duty at St.George’s Road, Eastney, a spare key to the St. John's Ambulance First Aid Hut, situated at this junction, was kept inside the Police pillar at St.George’s Road, East.

C 2001 Hampshire Constabulary History Society