End of police presence

THE earliest records of a police station at Chigwell appear in a police order dated January 11, 1864, which referred to a station at Woodford Bridge.

County records show that Woodford Bridge was part of Chigwell at this time, and it was recorded as a sergeant's station, which formed part of the Ilford division and was shown as K division.

Eight constables and one sergeant were based at the station. The duty officer was an inspector who was posted to Ilford, but was not posted to any particular station, having overall responsibility for Ilford, Barking, Dagenham, Loughton, Woodford, Wanstead, Chadwell Heath, Chigwell and East Ham.

He was mounted, and to assist him, two station officers shared one horse which they rode alternately.

The station had no cells, and no charges were accepted there.

On December 31, 1864, a police order appeared giving a directive from the Commission to all superintendents to make immediate effort to obtain sites for certain new police stations, of which one of those mentioned was Chigwell.

In a police order of 1865, three new divisions were created namely WXY divisions. Also mentioned was Chigwell police station, which was still shown as a sergeant's station, but was being shown on Islington Division N.

The property next to the eventual Chigwell police station, a stable with loft, was listed as being owned by Mrs P Avoy. This building was let to the receiver for the annual rent of £20.

In 1886, a police statement said that as from August 1, 1886 a new division would be created, namely J division, known as Bethnal Green division and Chigwell would be transferred to J Division.

Fourteen years later, a new station was built at Claybury. It was decided that one married sergeant would be based there, at a wage of four shillings per week, and one constable at three shillings per week.

At this time, the lease on the station at Woodford Bridge was surrendered and the station was closed.

On December 30, 1975, a new station, which had sectional status, was built at 54 Brook Parade, Chigwell.

It was realised at this time that Claybury Station was badly situated so on January 12, 1976 Claybury was closed and all business was transferred to Chigwell.

Later that year, Chigwell became the divisional station and the headquarters of J district was transferred to Chigwell from Leyton Leyton having its status reduced to a sub-divisional station.

Neighbouring Loughton station was built at the corner of Forest Road, at the junction with High Road, Loughton in 1859.

In January 1864, there were two police sergeants and seven police constables.

It was quite a few years later, first in 1930, and then in 1940, that the Commissioner expressed the opinion that there were inadequate facilities at Loughton police station.

Although it was felt that it was situated in the ideal poisition for the purpose of police supervision, it was considered to fall far short of present day requirements.

In September 1957, the police's estates branch proposed that the adjoining properties, situated at 2, 4 and 6 Forest Road, Loughton, should be acquired and demolished for the purpose of building a new station.

Numbers 4 and 6 were no problem, but the owner of number 2 would not sell.

15:38 Friday 24th January 2003

Printer Friendly Format

Send This Page To A Friend

• Vincent shows his eye for a picture
• Sars fears hit Redbridge
• Attack costs veteran his home