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Disgrifiad

The evolution of law enforcement and policing in Wales and England goes back to Anglo-Saxon times.

In 1829, Sir Robert Peel passed the Metropolitan Police Act, and from that time, London had its very first organised police force. Being such a success, it was around this time that further Bills were passed permitting and later again, instructing towns ciries boroughs and counties....i.e. Glamorgan, Cardiff,Swansea etc to set up professional police forces.

One important provision of Peel's Bill was that the police force was to wear a standard uniform, consisting of blue swallow tailed coat and blue trousers for wear during the winter period, changing to white trousers for the summer.

At this time the headwear was a tall top hat. Made from beaver, strengthened with leather side pieces, with a thick leather crown. On the inside was a wire and cane strengthening ring, which gave it strength and rigidity.

1863 New style helmet trialed, based on the military 'Prussian' helmet.
1865 New style helmet adopted.

1867 The Inspectors of Constabulary report showed that there were 237 police forces established in England and Wales. Each Chief Constable would have had his own idea on the type and style of uniform and would have been free to experiment with helmet and uniform for their respective force.

The historian or collector will come across various helmet shapes, such as the Coxcomb, the Rose top, and the Ball top. These have continued to be used until the present day. Throughout England and Wales regional preferences have remained for many years.There were several variations in materials...i.e. Luton and Salisbury had hats made from plaited straw. During warm summer months, some former police forces such as in Swansea and Caernarfonshire, wore a white coloured helmet.

Senior officers caps and helmets tended to be more ornate, with additional metal or silver fittings.

*The Ross Mather Police Memorabilia of Wales Collection*.