On Tuesday 8 October 1935, the new Aylesbury police station and constabulary headquarters in Exchange Street were opened by Sir Walter Carlile, Chairman of the Bucks Standing Joint Committee. In his opening address he paid ‘a high and well-deserved tribute to the efficiency of the County police and said the problem Colonel T R P Warren, the Chief Constable, had tackled had been a stiff one but the work done spoke for itself.’
After the opening ceremony the guests were able to witness the despatching of a message by the aid of the teleprinter from Sir Walter Carlile to the whole of the police in the county, in which he said that in no county in England did there exist a Police Force more united, more efficient, more happy and contented or more loyal to its best traditions.
The above drawing was specially prepared for The Bucks Herald illustrating the new Aylesbury police station and constabulary headquarters at the junction of Walton Street and Exchange Street Aylesbury. The buildings were erected at a total cost of £14,461 by Messrs Webster & Cannon the well-known and reputable Aylesbury based builders and at that time one of the largest in southern England. The design was by C H Riley, the County Architect who had also designed the 1929 County Offices in Walton Street, so it was not surprising that they harmonized. The buildings provided the police with modern and up-to-date facilities including a low-pressure heating and hot water system, which served both main buildings, quite revolutionary at the time, and a major feature of five telephone lines connected to the local exchange. The Bucks Herald at the time said ‘they provide the police with modern and up-to-date buildings equipped with all the latest and scientific apparatus where police administration can be conducted in an efficient manner.’ The complex comprised of the county constabulary headquarters and recreation club; Aylesbury local Police Station, with attached Inspector’s house and accommodation for four single constables; and Superintendent’s house. It is also interesting to note that the level of the ground floors of the new buildings were identical with those of the basement of the County Offices so that it would be possible to link up the two buildings if required at any time in the future.
Written by Roger King