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City of Exeter Police Photographs

Page added 17th February 2011

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City of Exeter Police Coat of ArmsI am often sent photographs of groups of people – football and cricket teams, workers groups and members of the different services. This page is a random selection of photographs of the City of Exeter Police and the later Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. Not only are the photos interesting for those who recognise friends and former colleagues, and in some cases, adversaries, but they show various forgotten events in Exeter involving the police. Some of the photographs also show nice details of the High Street before it became Clone Street. Thanks to Peter Hinchliffe for identifying some of the photos.

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PC Chandler and Stacey circa 1966Police car on Exeter By-pass circa 1966 New
PC Roy Chandler (left) and PC Phil Stacey with their patrol car on the Exeter by-pass near the modern turn-off for Tesco. The photo was taken on the day that the Home Office with the Ministry of Transport launched an experiment in Traffic Management. The westcountry police forces, set up a joint unit with a central control to cover all the major routes, including the A30 Andover to Penzance and the A38 Worcester to Bodmin.

PC Rowsell, Sergeant Deane and PC PooleNew Policing the Beatles at the ABC
PCs Sid Rowsell and Jack Poole with Sergeant Horace Dean (centre) in a back corridor of the ABC to police the Beatles October 1964 show.

The 1913 Swimming TeamThe 1913 City Police Swimming Team
The four members of the Exeter City Police Swimming Team pose with their trophies. The officer, rear, right is Inspector Lewis and the civilian may be C C Williams. The team will have used the facilities at Head Weir and the Tepid Baths off Kings Alley to train. Photo courtesy of John Capp.

Exeter City Police 1909Exeter City Police 1909
In 1913 the size of the Exeter force was 78 men, so this photograph from 1909 shows only a small part of the force. Some of the names appear on the 19th Century list.  Photo courtesy of John Capp.

PC Owen Milton in Queen Street PC 17 - Owen MiltonOn the beat in Queen Street
A young PC17, Owen Milton and colleague on the beat, close to the Higher Market, Queen Street. PC Milton's son believes the photo was taken in 1948 during his first year in the service. He retired in 1978 and died in June 2008. Photos courtesy of Neil MIlton.

Mounted Police - ExeterMounted Police - 1946
Sergeant Sangster and PC Ware (right) on two of the City Police Force's horses. The location is uncertain.

Special Inspector Frank Arthur CanningsSpecial Inspector Cannings
Frank Arthur Cannings, was a station sergeant in the Met prior to the war. After serving in the forces, he came to Exeter in 1952, becoming a Special Constable in the City Police Force. By his retirement in 1967 he was a Special Inspector, just after the City Force was amalgamated into the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. His daughter, Della Cannings joined the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary in 1975 rising to Chief Superintendent. From 2002 to 2007, she was Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police. Photo courtesy of Della Cannings.

The Specials marching into Cathedral CloseSpecials March to the Cathedral
Special Inspector Cannings leads the City's Specials into Cathedral Close for the Remembrance Day Service.My father for many years led the Special Constables at the Remembrance Day services – at Northernhay Gardens and Cathedral. Photo courtesy of Della Cannings.

The Specials marching from the CathedralSpecials leave the Cathedral
Exeter City Specials leave the Cathedral after the Remembrance Day Service.  The Special Constabulary also undertook a ceremonial role in escorting the Mayor of Exeter. Photo courtesy of Della Cannings.

The Devon and Cornwall Police BandPolice Cavalcade 1979
The band and drums of the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary march up the High Street. Photo courtesy of Alan Mobbs.

Police Cadets in the High StreetPolice Cavalcade 1979
Cadets of the Devon and Cornwall Police – it is sobering to think that many of these young cadets will now be retired from the force. Photo courtesy of Alan Mobbs.

Police horses in the High StreetPolice Cavalcade 1979
Well turned out Mounted Police from Bristol. Mounted Police were introduced into the City of Exeter Force in the early 1900s. By the 1930s they consisted of two sergeants and twelve constables, although they were mostly used for ceremonial purposes. Photo courtesy of Alan Mobbs.

Police cyclists in the High StreetPolice Cavalcade 1979
Devon & Cornwall Police with their bicycles, an idea that is returning to modern policing. Chief Constable John Alderson re-introduced the bobby on a bike with his “Community Policing”.  The photo shows (left to right)  Unknown PC,  Roger Emmett, Tony Woodland and David Foster B.E.M.  Photo courtesy of Alan Mobbs.

Police motor cyclists in the High StreetPolice Cavalcade 1979
The Display and Special Escort team of Police motorcyclists,  led by Sergeant Peter Phillips. Photo courtesy of Alan Mobbs.

The St John's Police TeamSt Johns Ambulance Brigade
Chief Constable Williams allowed a St John's Ambulance Brigade to be formed in 1901, which, apart from the First War, remained part of the force's activities. Here, the team shows off its many cups and awards won during competitions, probably during the 1960s.

On parade at the CathedralCathedral Parade
Police line up outside the Cathedral during the 1930s.

The City of Exeter Police Dance BandCity of Exeter Police Dance Band
The Exeter City Police band at a 'gig', thought to be in the early 1960's.

An inspection - 1954Inspection by HMI Ian St Johnstone Phyllis Wooldridge was the city police force's first female PC, when she joined the force in 1949, with the number PW1. Here she is pictured at the front of a line of police officers on parade in the old bacon factory, in Waterbeer Street. They are undergoing the annual inspection by HMI Ian St Johnstone in 1954.

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