Coventry Police

Just looking through Mirrorpix came across the old Police Station which was situated in St Mary's Street. I didn't realise that it was damaged during the blitz and was rebuilt. Here are the pics of then and now, from Mirrorpix and Google street view. How long was it a Police Station?

1863-1960

Does anyone have a picture of the old police station in Holmesdale Road, Coventry? Or any other info. Thanks.

I only know that it closed around 1967/68 when it moved to the new one just off Stoney Stanton Road.

Designed by the City Architect Mr George Sealey, it was a combined Police Station & Fire Station and opened in 1903. 1906, PC Dickinson died as a result of falling off a ladder at the Station. Closed in November 1968, when the new Police Station came into use on Stoney Stanton Road. Later demolished and the land used as a car park.

That's quite an old picture. The station was in the bend of the road, from the main road, just far enough to place old treacle tins by the shops and young boys to kick them to land outside the station with one hell of a clatter. Two or three policemen had their bikes pinched from outside the station, the guy would not have been caught except he went to Swifts (hundred yards away) to have a puncture fixed. 'Happy memories'

CovPoliceHistory. May I ask you a few questions? The old police station in Hay Lane - Did it have any stone steps into the front office? Did it have stone steps leading down to cells or dungeons? Dungeons are a long time fad of mine. Was the Black Maria really named after some black woman that threw drunks out from her lodging house?

That door was still used well into the 1970s to take prisoners through, ready to be taken up into the Magistrates Court.

Kaga. Do you allude to the dungeons below the Coventry gaol (jail). There were 12 steps down to those. Natural light was provided by a small window 11" x 7" high up on one wall. Owing to what became known as the 'Act of Coventry Boundary 1842'. The County of Coventry rejoined the County of Warwick. The Coventry gaol became a Warwickshire gaol. The 3 storey watch-house in West Orchard, had cells on the upper floors. It was demolished for a new market hall in 1865. In 1863, a police station next to St Mary's Hall, was built replacing the old watch-house. I've always understood, "Black Maria" was a famous racehorse, 1820's.

This is a very interesting topic for me, not that I have ever been in a 'cop shop' but to know the history of Police Stations in Coventry and learn of some of the bizarre stories to be told would be hilarious I should think, even from the 'over nighters'. Come on you boys, share with us.

May 1957, the traffic department occupied what had been once the premises of the 'Fleur-de-Lys', beerhouse in Smithford Street. 17th October 1910, a house was bought and converted into a sub-police station in Arden Street, Earlsdon. Previous to that, a house in Moor Street was used as a station. A once well known landmark in the City Centre....

My dad and step grandad were specials at Arden Street in the 2nd World War, it was something to do with the Gauge and Tool and Harry Harley. Would this have been run from the Arden Street Police Station?

CovPoliceHistory Thanks, I first entered that police station around 1934. I was a small boy, my dad was taking some clothes for a relative in there. I was sure I saw steps down into? But with age you can never be sure what you saw as a kid. And with the historic buildings in Coventry it started me off visiting old castles, dungeons and places. So, thanks again. Regards, Kaga.

Coventry Police Office 1874. Women's Butter Market?

Heathite, that's a very interesting find, thanks.