Police badges of Wales

THE BRITISH POLICE HELMET

POLICE INSIGNIA OF WALES - 19th CENTURY ON.

For many years, the British Government's policy seems to have been 'bigger is better', leading to police force after police force being amalgamated and resigned to the history books. Recent efforts at yet more amalgamations were wisely and successfully resisted by many Police Authorities, resulting in the Home Office backing down from the threat to force them through.

Below are some examples in my collection of police helmet plates, cap badges, shako badges, belt buckles, collar badges etc. of many older pre-amalgamation police forces, worn with great pride by many men and women who at one time or another served their communities in Wales.

I am keen to learn of any Welsh badges that I do not have in my collection. Do you have a badge that I could add to this collection? If so, please do get in touch.

This website is totally non-profit making. It has been created for the benefit of those who wish to view historical police memorabilia.

Click on badge to enlarge

NEATH BOROUGH POLICE HELMET PLATE pre 1947

Neath Borough Police was amalgamated into the Glamorgan Constabulary in 1947.

CARDIFF COUNTY BOROUGH POLICE HELMET PLATE c. 1890

(Possibly a horse martingale badge.. not a helmet plate). Borough Police badge prior to Cardiff being granted City status in 1905.

CAERNARFONSHIRE CONSTABULARY c.1920

Early police helmet plate in the Welsh language. Replaced 'Carnarvonshire' 3 feathers plate as shown above.

CARDIGANSHIRE CONSTABULARY (WALES) c.1910

Ornate centre wreath helmet plate. Worn on 6 panel balltop / chain style helmet.

GLAMORGANSHIRE CONSTABULARY (VICTORIAN).

c. 1890 Queen Victoria Crowned badge. Worn on kepi and later on the pill-box style hat.

SWANSEA COUNTY BOROUGH POLICE HELMET PLATE

c.1920. Large 4" wide coat of arms helmet plate. Worn both on chain / ball top helmet and later coxcomb style.

ABOVE AND BELOW

BUTE DOCKS POLICE (CARDIFF) pre 1897

Brass insignia for Bute Docks Police. This small force existed 1865 - 1897. In 1897 it became part of the newly formed Cardiff Railway Police

NEATH BOROUGH POLICE TUNIC ARM BADGE c.1920

St. John's Amulance Association cloth & wire arm badge denoting First Aid Qualification.

RADNORSHIRE CONSTABULARY (WALES) HELMET PLATE c.1940

Former small Welsh county police force. Disappeared in 1948 when amalgamated to become part of Mid-Wales Constabulary.

FLINTSHIRE CONSTABULARY

Pre 1953 King's Crown helmet plate. This force ceased to exist after 1967.

PEMBROKESHIRE POLICE c.1920

Rare numbered helmet plate issued to Constable no.46. Sometimes mistaken as Pembroke Borough badge.

BRECONSHIRE CONSTABULARY HELMET PLATE Pre 1948

In 1948 Breconshire joined with Radnorshire and Montgomeryshire to form Mid- Wales Constabulary.

MONTGOMERYSHIRE CONSTABULARY. c.1885

I believe that this was the first pattern helmet plate worn by the force. Used on a 6 panel rose top with black metal fittings. 2 1/4" high.

PEMBROKESHIRE POLICE

Last helmet plate of this force before going out of existance in 1968.

NEATH BOROUGH POLICE EPAULETTE BADGES c.1900

NEATH BOROUGH POLICE BUTTON 19th Century

VICTORIAN GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY WHISTLE

Late 19th Century whistle and buttons / cap badge post 1904

NEWPORT COUNTY BOROUGH POLICE (WALES) c.1940

Large 3 1/2" wreath badge which replaced the smaller wreath. Worn on spike topped / chain / 6 panel helmet.

SWANSEA BOROUGH POLICE HELMET PLATE.

Helmet plate that replaced the large coat of arms plate. This Brunswick star was only used approx. 1967 - 1969.

CARDIFF CITY POLICE HELMET PLATE . Pre 1953

CARDIFF CITY POLICE pre 1953

This pre 1953 King's Crown helmet plate replaced the older numbered wreath. Worn on a rose top design helmet.

CARDIFF CITY HELMET PLATE. Post 1953

DENBIGHSHIRE CONSTABULARY

GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY pre 1953

MONMOUTHSHIRE CONSTABULARY pre 1953 (STERLING SILVER).

MERTHYR TYDFIL BOROUGH pre 1953 (STERLING SILVER).

DYFED POWYS CONSTABULARY

Sterling silver

PEMBROKESHIRE POLICE

Unusually a star shaped pattern PC's Sgt's cap badge. Post 1953.

SOUTH WALES CONSTABULARY 1969

NEWPORT BOROUGH POLICE CHIEF CONSTABLE

MONTGOMERYSHIRE CONSTABULARY

Pre 1948 cap badge. Montgomeryshire ceased to exist after 1948.

GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY post 1904

Post 1904 white metal cap / pill box hat badge along with late Victorian / Edwardian epaulette badges, belt buckle and large (1 1/8") Divisional letters & numbers.

COLLAR BADGES ETC. FROM POLICE FORCES OF WALES

DYFED POWYS CONSTABULARY

Rare black / night helmet plate. Not a general use badge and its the only one that Ive ever seen. Im afraid that I cant give any information on its use.

CARMARTHEN & CARDIGAN POLICE

Helmet plate of this former Dyfed Powys Police force existed only in that name from 1958 - 1968.

VICTORIAN SWANSEA BOROUGH POLICE TUNIC BELT BUCKLE.

VERY RARE CARNARVONSHIRE CONSTABULARY HELMET PLATE c. 1910

NEATH BOROUGH POLICE HELMET PLATE c. 1910

Early white metal helmet plate post 1902.

CARDIFF COUNTY BOROUGH POLICE (VICTORIAN)

c.1890 Queen Victoria Crowned helmet plate. Constables number 85 fitted to jappaned metal oval centre.

CARDIFF CITY POLICE c.1920

Above and below: Post 1905 police helmet plates with Officers number and Division. Worn on a 6 panel spike topped helmet.

CARDIFF BOROUGH / CITY DIVISIONAL POLICE HELMET PLATES

Post 1901 helmet plates for 'A' 'B' and 'C' Division officers. Below is the Constable's Divisional number.

GLAMORGANSHIRE CONSTABULARY 'PILL BOX' HAT BADGE

This design badge with a King's Crown was only worn between 1902 and 1904

MERTHYR TYDFIL COUNTY BOROUGH POLICE HELMET PLATE.

Likely to be a helmet plate made for use at the formation of the force in 1908. (Helmet plate has 3 lugs).

MONMOUTHSHIRE CONSTABULARY c.1890

RADNORSHIRE CONSTABULARY c.1920

Earlier white metal badge. Used both as a cap badge and helmet plate.

SWANSEA COUNTY BOROUGH POLICE c.1880

First helmet plate used by the force. 1890's mounted into a 'starburst' design (see Swansea Officers helmet).

SWANSEA BOROUGH POLICE TUNIC ARM BADGE c.1920

Qualification badge

PEMBROKESHIRE POLICE

Former west Wales county force, now part of the Dyfed Powys Police area.

MONMOUTHSHIRE CONSTABULARY WHISTLE c.1875

A very early Monmouthshire Constabulary whistle. Makers details 'Field, London'.

SWANSEA CO. BOROUGH POLICE c.1920

Smaller version of the helmet plate used as a cap badge.

VARIOUS POLICE BADGES FROM OLDER WELSH FORCES

MONMOUTHSHIRE POLICE c.1960

Last helmet plate used by Monmouthshire before 1967 amalgamation to become part of Gwent.

MERTHYR TYDFIL COUTY BOROUGH POLICE. pre 1953

A pre 1953 King's Crown helmet plate. Worn on a rose top 2 panel helmet.

MERTHYR TYDFIL CO. BOROUGH POLICE. Post 1953

Last helmet plate to be worn by Merthyr prior to amalgamation in 1969. Black plate only used on 2 panel rose top helmet with all black metal fittings.

NEWPORT COUNTY BOROUGH POLICE. pre 1953

Worn on a rose top police helmet with all black metal fittings.

CARDIFF CITY POLICE HELMET PLATE c. 1960

Post 1953 black 'night' helmet plate. Used up to amalgamation in 1969 on rose top helmet with all black metal fittings.

BELOW ARE A NUMBER OF BLUE ENAMEL RING SENIOR OFFICER'S CAP BADGES

MONMOUTHSHIRE CONSTABULARY post 1953.

GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY post 1953.

CARDIFF CITY POLICE. pre 1953 (CHROME).

SWANSEA BOROUGH POLICE. pre 1953

NEWPORT BOROUGH POLICE. Post 1953

PEMBROKESHIRE POLICE SENIOR OFFICER'S CAP BADGE

Rare pre 1953 senior officers cap badge.

CARDIFF CITY POLICE pre 1953 (STERLING SILVER).

MONMOUTHSHIRE CONSTABULARY. Post 1953 HELMET PLATE

ANGLESEY CONSTABULARY

1937 - 1950 cap badge worn during the Reign of King George VI

BRECONSHIRE SPECIAL CONSTABULARY

Special Constables cap badge that can be dated between 1937 and 1948.

GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY HELMET PLATES / EPAULETTE BADGES

GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY TUNIC BUTTON c. 1890

SOUTH WALES POLICE INSIGNIA. post 1969 on...

Helmet plates / cap badges / officers cap badges / male & female officer's tunic feathers badge pairs, Sergeants cloth & wire arm badges and a Firearms Unit beret badge.