The thin blue line of Fylde over the ages

They're a well-known sight on Fylde coast streets and have been for close to 200 years.
Blackpool police took delivery of eight scooters for patrol work in September 1959Blackpool police took delivery of eight scooters for patrol work in September 1959
Blackpool police took delivery of eight scooters for patrol work in September 1959

We recently focused in on the fire service throughout the years in Fylde, and this time, it’s the turn of the police.

Lancashire Constabulary was founded in 1839.

In 1917, it first allowed female officers, although it was only in the 70s they were allowed uniforms.

Blackpool specials, who included a taxi driver, a post office worker and council architect, pictured in May 1982Blackpool specials, who included a taxi driver, a post office worker and council architect, pictured in May 1982
Blackpool specials, who included a taxi driver, a post office worker and council architect, pictured in May 1982
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Our archive photograph shows the new Lancashire County Police women’s uniform, in June 1964.

Both men and women’s uniforms from 1983 can be seen another archive picture – the uniforms look somewhat different today!

The Fylde coast falls under Western Division.

In the 1830s, the main crimes people were tried for were theft and gain.

Blackpool Police, May 1983
HistoricalBlackpool Police, May 1983
Historical
Blackpool Police, May 1983 Historical

Our archive pictures show some of the modes of transport used by the police over the years on the Fylde coast.

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Skis were certainly not standard issue, but the most efficient way of winter sports enthusiast PC John Marshall Goldie getting to work at South Shore Police Station, in February 1955.

Blackpool Police took delivery of eight scooter for patrol work in September 1959.

And horses have always played a big role in policing the Fylde, as can be seen on our pictures – showing them patrolling the sand hills of St Annes and Blackpool town centre.

Winter sports enthusiast PC John Marshall Goldie reported for work at South Shore Police Station, Montague Street, on skis, in February 1955Winter sports enthusiast PC John Marshall Goldie reported for work at South Shore Police Station, Montague Street, on skis, in February 1955
Winter sports enthusiast PC John Marshall Goldie reported for work at South Shore Police Station, Montague Street, on skis, in February 1955

The latest in technology – at that time, of course – can be seen in our photograph taken at Hutton’s police HQ in 1980, with the use of monitors and the ‘new’ breath-testing machine to test for alcohol at Blackpool’s Police Station, shown in April 1983.

And also pictured are some of Blackpool’s special constables, in May 1982.

They included a taxi driver, a post office worker and council architect.