Is this Britains Smallest Police Station? Tucked in the corner of Trafalgar Square is a pillar with a light on top. You may of walked passed it numerous times on your visit to London and may have wondered what it was. People rush to have their photo taken among the Trafalgar Squares famous statues of the lions or sit around the fountains but they rarely notice this interesting piece of history.
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But is it really Britains Smallest Police Station and if not where is Britain smallest police station?
A little piece of secret history in London In Trafalgar Square Britain’s Smallest Police Box
What really is Britains Smallest Police Station in Trafalgar Square?
The truth is It has never been a police station! Its not a Police box either but rather a very posh observation box so that the police can keep an eye on Trafalgar Square.
The so called Britains Smallest Police Station opened in 1928 to control crowds and political protests in the square. The large box was just big enough to house a burly police officer on look out. It had a telephone line straight to charing cross police station to call for back up with a beacon lantern on top.
Article referencing the instalment of the Police box in 1928
An early newspaper article dated January 1926 states it was a lookout box. It was a great vantage point to look at the crowds of Trafalgar. Here they could spot any trouble arising.
POLICE PILLBOX
Structure in Trafalgar Square, LONDON, January’ 26.
A new landmark has been. added to Trafalgar square. It consists of a police observation, tower to facilitate control in the event of a threatened disturbance. It is like a pill box and is strongly built of stone. The walls are pierced by narrow slits and the iron door renders the tower impregnable to attack. A lamp will enable the officer inside to obtain a complete view of the square during the night. A telephone wire to Scotland Yard will ensure early reinforcements being obtained.
POLICE PILLBOX (1928, January 27). News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 – 1954), p. 7 (HOME EDITION). Retrieved July 18, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129161484
It was soon closed due to it not being that helpful as one officer was actually a bit of a sitting duck in a riot! Let’s face it you would not be that brave hidden inside if the whole of trafalger square kicked off!
So sadly the small Police booth wasn’t to last long. It is now used as a cleaner’s cupboard for Westminster council.
Where is Britains Smallest Police Station then?
The Smallest Station or as a matter of fact Londons smallest police station was actually very close by in the Duke of Wellington’s Arch!
The Wellingtons Arch was the home to Londons smallest police station and it even had its own Police cat! It was Londons smallest Police station until the 1950’s.
Thank you for reading my little piece of London history.
It is super cute!
Though you are right..imagine just one police officer when something happens!
I know scary thought!
Hi Donna, what a fascinating piece of history. I would not have liked to have been the lone policeman on duty there. And it does make rather nice looking cleaners cupboard!
xx
London can be so interesting. Thank you for sharing x
I’ev walked past that “cupbvoard” so many times and never realised that was it’s history. I’ve learned somehting and I’ll tell the kids all about it next time we’re in Trafalgar Square. #MySundayPhoto
Thank you, I love these bits of London
I can see how you would miss it but what a great piece of history! Thank you for sharing 🌟 #mysundayphoto
I know!, Thanks for visiting.
Ah that is so sweet, and how interesting. there are so many quirky things to know about London x
we never did get to see it did we? lol
How fascinating is that! We’ve been to Trafalgar Square many times before but never noticed it! #MySundayPhoto
I know so did I! x
There’s so many unique and hidden things in London, you always find something new
Thank you for linking up
Thats true,thats why I love london.
That is SO amazing, I had no idea!!! Love London so much Xx #MySundayPhoto
Crazy whats there that you dont know isn’t it? x
You wouldn’t want to be the policeman shut inside! #MySundayPhoto
Haha no! x
How fascinating, I’ll be looking out for this if we visit Trafalgar Square from now on
you will spot it easy now you know!
What an awesome little piece of history. I can see why it didnt work out though, a bit claustrophobic. #mysundayphoto
Haha yes, must of seemed like good idea at the time!
What an amazing insight, I would never have known that, thanks for sharing! Would you mind if I linked to it, from a post I just wrote about London please? #MySundayPhoto
Yes please, thank you x
Great captures and wonderful insight to go along with it. #MySundayPhoto
Thank you and thank you for sharing x
Thank you
That’s so interesting. Next time I’m in London I’m going to look it out.
thank you for visiting x
What an interesting post, I had no idea that was there (or the story behind it). #MySundayPhoto
Thank you x
Ahh! That is so interesting. I didn’t know it existed. How cute x
Thanks, it was a while before I did x
I didn’t know that. A treasure hidden in plain sight. How interesting. Must feel very unusual collected a broom or mop from it. #MySundayPhoto
haha yes it must! x
I totally agree so many of us walk round with our eyes shut and do not notice the obvious. Lovely bit of interesting history, and like its modern day use. #mysundayphoto
yes perfect place for a broom xx
I’ve walked past this many times and never really noticed it before. So interesting to read about the history. Next time I’m in Trafalgar Square I will have to look out for it 🙂
its amazing what you can walk past x
Officers from the local police station were a given key to this box. The telephone line would not have gone to Charing Cross Police Station; it was a hospital when this was being used CX opened in ’92). It may have gone to Canon Row (which is the new New Scotland Yard, or the original Canon Row, which was off Bridge Street, near the original Scotland Yard, before New Scotland Yard was opened in Victoria Street. (is that clear?)
It fits two people…long story
Thank you Alex, I did try and find the information online but there were a few posts.I originally read it was Cannon row thanks for the info I will change it x