A rare, one inch diameter Special Constabulary / Special Police (S.P.) lapel badge of the former Breconshire Constabulary. Believed to be from the World War 2 period.

During times of national emergency, police forces across the country were stretched to breaking point. As a result, they recruited thousands of Special Constables so as to augment and temporarily increase the manpower.

Some 'Specials'were issued with a full uniform, and some wore their own civilian clothes. When that was the case, they were often issued with no more than a few items such as a cap, a truncheon, a duty armlet and a lapel 'button hole' fitting badge.

*The Ross Mather Police Memorabilia of Wales Collection.