New police museum gets £1 million boost

17 February 2021

A new West Midlands Police Museum is currently under development after a £1 million National Lottery Heritage Fund grant.

Construction work on the museum will begin next month at Birmingham’s Victorian Lock-Up on Steelhouse Lane. Historical displays will tell the stories of prisoners and staff, including the real ‘peaky blinders’ who were imprisoned in the building. Other collections include how the original Lock-Up matrons of 1895 were some of the first women in policing.

“I am pleased that the museum has secured this funding and that work is getting underway,” says Jon Nott, chair of West Midlands Police Federation, “It is important that we celebrate the history of policing in the West Midlands and the museum should offer something of interest to people of all ages.”

Helen Taylor has been appointed as the manager of the museum and is ready and waiting to start in her role which will include securing accreditation for displays to ensure their long-term preservation.

Helen said: “Not many people get to be part of the creation of a new museum in a new space and that’s really exciting. The old Steelhouse Lane Police Station is an exhibit in itself so people will want to visit because the building is so interesting. It’s the ideal backdrop to tell the stories that represent the history of our people and communities and we want to do the story of West Midlands Police justice so our communities can see how policing has evolved and continues to change right up to present day.”

South Wales based Trio Building Contractors have started replacing the building’s roof to make it weathertight and conform to fire safety requirements. They will also be creating new stairwells, installing a lift and reinstating original heritage features.

The new museum, which is expected to open in summer 2022, will also create jobs and volunteering opportunities for local people.

To follow the progress of the museum follow @WMPHistory on Twitter or ‘The Lock Up’ on Facebook.