Having stayed on the statue books for over 200 years, today saw The Vagrancy Act finally repealed. First enacted in 1824, it was introduced to deal with injured and destitute soldiers returning home from the Napoleonic wars www.gov.uk/government/n...

Rough sleeping no longer a crime as Vagrancy Act repealed

The government will repeal the Vagrancy Act on Monday 29 June 2026, ending nearly two centuries of legislation that has criminalised rough sleeping and begging.

gov.uk

14 June 1995, and Pauline Clare becomes the first female Chief Constable in Britain, taking up her post at Lancashire Constabulary, one of the largest provincial police forces #policehistory #womeninpolicing #onthisday #OTD

Police officers and their cycles on parade, Norwich City Police, c 1912 #worldbicycleday #policehistory

To the new followers who have joined us in recent days - welcome and thanks for the follow! We look forward to sharing stories of policing, its people and history #welcome #policehistory

Jack Bousfield was born in New South Wales, Australia in 1911, and joined the Metropolitan Police aged 21. During #WWII he served in the RAFVR as an air-gunner with 83 and 50 Squadrons, becoming the first London police officer to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross. #policehistory #AnzacDay

For those police officers on foot patrol, a parade and briefing came before their deployment on duty. They were expected to produce their ‘appointments’ - truncheon, handcuffs and whistle - for inspection like these Norwich City Police officers just before WWI #responsepolicing

In Response Policing Week a look back at how it used to be done. Taken around 1907 this photograph shows a constable patrolling his rural beat on horseback. Most police forces had a mounted branch at some time in their history #responsepolicing

Police History Society members today had a private visit to the recently refurbished Old Police Cells Museum at Brighton’s Town Hall. The Museum tells the story of Sussex Police and is due to open soon for public tours.

Certainly a deal not to be missed!! And an even better deal available if you’re a Society member. Info from our Police History Society Facebook page. And the link to EBay here ebay.us/m/TBdgiD #policehistory #womeninhistory #police

👮 Later this year we’re hoping to revamp parts of our policing and crime exhibitions, telling new stories and showcasing new objects. In the meantime you can explore our Police Cells exhibition and discover the early story of Police Detectives. #Sheffield #MuseumDayOut #PolicingHistory

Good to see Kent Police Museum reopen today. Full details on their website www.kent.police.uk/police-force... #policehistory #policemuseums

Kent Police Museum

The Kent Police Museum is a free educational and fun experience, which looks at the history and development of one of the UK’s largest police forces.

kent.police.uk

For those who’d like to learn more about the history of women in policing, this Police History Society publication that tells hair personal stories is available from a variety of outlets #InternationalWomensDay2026

On #InternationalWomensDay2026, for those women who have served policing in a wide variety of roles, from the 'petty constables' of the earliest days, through to attested police officers, Women's Auxiliary Police Service, matrons, police staff and many more.

Wishing all of our followers a merry and peaceful Christmas!

Available in over 50 other languages besides UK/US English, our new Bloomberg Connects guide (tinyurl.com/mtn6yzrr or via their app) has already been accessed by nearly 400 people. It is due to be in use in our gallery space from January 2026 onwards. #Museum30 #achievement

History in the making - the passing of London’s Royal Parks Police #policehistory (Screen-grabbed from ‘the other place’ as they don’t seem to have an account on here).

And onto our final presentation of the day. Dr Clare Smith on the history of the Metropolitan Police Crime Museum #PHSConference2025

As the afternoon progresses a talk on the German Volkspolizei (the People’s Police) - given by Dr Christopher Toenjes who is currently in the USA - all via the wonders of technology #PHSConference2025

After a look at policing in the City of London during WWII and the experiences of some of its officers, it’s now time for Professor Rob Green and a look at historic cases and the use of DNA - currently examining the conviction of the A6 murderer, James Hanratty and OJ Simpson #PHSConference2025

Our first speaker is up! Mike Simmons - exploring the link between the murder of J F Kennedy and a murder in Florida #PHSConference2025

And this year’s Police History Society Conference - one that marks the Society’s 40th anniversary- is off.The morning has started with our AGM and distribution of this year’s Journal #PHSConference2025

With delegates gathering this evening at Police Federation headquarters at Leatherhead, this year’s Police History Society Conference is getting underway! We’ll be commenting on tomorrow’s talks during the day so be sure to check in! #PHSConf2025 #policehistory

The Police History Society is delighted to preview the front cover of this year's Journal which will be landing slightly earlier than normal this year, due to conference being earlier. This year marks our 40th anniversary, so we are celebrating our ruby anniversary with a change of cover colour.

Seven Talbot two-seater touring cars introduced to Norfolk in 1939. Stationed through the county they were used for general police duties and mobile patrol #policehistory

Only a month til this year’s Police History Society Conference, so still time to book if you’re quick!Includes talks on policing in America and Germany, the impact of WWII on @citypolice.bsky.social and @mpsheritage.bsky.social on 150 years of the Crime Museum www.policehistorysociety.com/conference

Stand by for a message! The Police History Society Conference is taking place this year from 24-26 October at Police Federation HQ in Leatherhead, Surrey. Booking is open. Members and non-members welcome. Full details www.policehistorysociety.com/conference #policehistory #policehistorysociety

A special edition of the journal ‘Policing and Society’ - online and free to access - is now available. Curated by @polhissoc1985.bsky.social member Dr Mary Fraser, it contains lots of interesting articles by PHS members. Get your copy here! #policehistory www.tandfonline.com/toc/gpas20/3...

Policing and Society

Police History. Volume 35, Issue 5 of Policing and Society

tandfonline.com

Calling all Blueskyers! Welcome to the world of #policehistory. To find out more about the Police History Society our website link is in the bio - or come along to our Conference this October at Leatherhead, Surrey. Booking now open! www.policehistorysociety.com/conference #history #conference