The museum based in the Keighley Civic Centre has, along with lots of artefacts, been given a large portion of the Keighley Police Archive.
This archive covers crimes, investigations and incidents going back over 100 years. The Local History Society will be working with the Civic Centre management team to transcribe these documents and archive them.
There promises to be some very interesting and the odd strange tale in the archives. For example, here’s a record from 1901 based on the accounts of two On Duty Policemen in Haworth:
21/12/1901. 0045 hours. Location: Haworth, West Yorkshire. As two uniformed police officers, PS JOHN JOHNSON and PC CLARK were walking along a snow covered beat in Haworth when suddenly a green light illuminated the surrounding area. The officers looked up to the sky to see a luminous UFO shaped like a cigar pointed at both ends. The object emitted occasional flashes and sparks. They watched the object for 15 minutes as it slowly and silently moved across the night sky before disappearing into the distance. PS JOHNSON stated that the object was seen at an altitude of 100-150 feet before gradually gaining height. Two members of the public reported seeing similar objects in Keighley and Shipley respectively.
Originally cited in the Keighley News, 02/12/94, the report by these officers is classified as a Close Encounter of the First Kind.
Whilst much of the archive is ‘run of the mill’ documentation, we’re sure that there’ll be lots in there that can be used for interesting displays and / or educational materials for our local schools.
If you are interested in assisting in the transcription and archiving of these documents please e-mail us to let us know.
After the Civic Centre/Police Museum was officially opened on 2nd April by HRH the Princess Royal we held an open day for Go Local Sunday yesterday. Over 500 people came and had a look around at the cells and the pathology lab. All the comments were very positive.
That’s great news Judith. I’d have come in myself but was drenched by the time I got into town!
Please can you let me know if it would be possible to bring a group of 6th form A-level Psychology/Sociology students to the Police Museum?
We would be looking at a half day in late June to July 2012. If you are not the correct person to contact, could you please let me know who would be able to help?
I look forward to hearing from you
Rachel Van Der Boon
Assistant Head of Post 16
Oakbank School
Rachel, I’m not sure who manages the bookings for the Police Museum but if you contact the special projects team they’ll be able to put you in touch with the right person.
Mr Alan Parry, Special Projects Co-Ordinator 01535 618396
Mrs Debra Butterfield, Special Projects Co-Ordinator Assistant 01535 618396
I worked in the former Police Station in the early 1950′s as a West Riding cadet. I was priviledged to be shown around a partially completed museum in March this year prior to the official opening but am interested in seeing the completed article. When will the museum be open to the public?
Alan, as far as I’m aware the museum is now open. It was open to the public for the go local day so I assume its up and running.
Please can you tell me if the police museum is open for drop in visitors. I am hoping to visit with my nephew and mother on tues 39 or weds 31 October. If possible please can you tell me the opening times.
Thank you
Victoria Goodwin
Victoria, details are on the civic centre website at http://www.keighleyciviccentre.com/#!police-museum