Police boxes have been an iconic part of London’s streets for many years, and they are often associated with the famous television show Doctor Who. These boxes were used by police officers to communicate with their headquarters and take a break from patrolling the streets. They were also used as temporary holding cells for suspects.
The History of Police Boxes in London
Police boxes were first introduced in the early 1900s as a way for police officers to communicate with their headquarters while on patrol. The boxes were designed to be small and compact so that they could be easily transported from one location to another. The first police box was built in 1929, and by the 1950s, there were over 600 police boxes in use across London.
The Design of Police Boxes
Police boxes were made out of cast iron or concrete and typically stood at around nine feet tall. They had a distinctive design featuring a domed roof, which was painted blue with a white light on top. The doors of the box would open outwards, revealing a small space inside where the police officer could sit and communicate with their headquarters.
The Decline of Police Boxes
With advances in communication technology, police officers no longer needed to rely on police boxes to communicate with their headquarters while on patrol. As a result, many police boxes fell into disuse and were eventually removed from London’s streets.
Are There Any Blue Police Boxes Left in London
While most of the original blue police boxes have been removed from London’s streets, there are still some that can be found today. However, these are not original police boxes but instead replicas or tributes to the original design.
- One of the most famous blue police boxes in London is located outside Earl’s Court station. This box is a replica of the original design and was installed in 1996 as a tribute to the Doctor Who television series.
- Another blue police box can be found on the corner of Bow Street and Russell Street in Covent Garden. This box is also a replica and was installed in 2014 as part of the Bow Street Police Museum.
In conclusion, while most of the original blue police boxes have been removed from London’s streets, there are still some replicas or tributes that can be found today. These boxes serve as a reminder of London’s rich history and the iconic role that police boxes played in it.