*Historical* The misty morning provided the perfect atmosphere to capture these shots in Carshalton, of where police officers used to be based. Did you know Carshalton used to have its own police station?

🗝 The Carshalton police station used to be on a grassy area behind the Honeywood museum. For comparison, where the policeman is standing above, is roughly the same place in each photo.

🗝 The police buildings stood on the corner of West Street and Pound Street. They were built in 1848 on the site of an older structure designed to impound stray dogs and errant humans. This is how the name Pound Street originated.

🗝 The white wooden building shown above, was called ‘Wandle Lodge’.

🗝 Also a shot below, of the old pre-doctor-who-style police box where policeman Arthur Biggs kept an eye on traffic approaching the ponds – which was just outside the Woodman wine bar.

🗝 At the turn of the last century there were over 50 police officers stationed in Carshalton. Here are some enjoying a drink at a table, probably in the police yard. The old Victorian water pump was under the care of the police – and kept well maintained.

🗝 The police buildings were demolished in 1920, and replaced by attractive gardens (laid out by famous victorian art critic John Ruskin, and now overgrown). The staff were moved to nearby Wallington. None of the buildings in these shots are left now, but the water pump still stands.

Words, research and colour pics @secret.carshalton. Old pics, London Borough of Sutton Museum and Heritage @suttonheritage

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