A special exhibition officially opened at Chippenham

Museum and Heritage Centre last weekend to celebrate 170 years of Wiltshire

police..

 Chief Constable Brian Moore and the Mayor

of Chippenham, Sylvia Ann Gibson cut the ribbon to unveil the new police

display at the museum. The event ran alongside a series of events that

celebrated the forces 170th year.

 The centre is the official museum that

holds on loan the Historic Collections of Wiltshire Constabulary, and an array

of new items is now being exhibited. This includes uniforms, helmets and

handcuffs used since 1839 until now.

 As well as the exhibition there was family

fun for members of the public in the high street. Fun finger printing was on

offer as well as the opportunity for children to dress up in all of the police

kit. The Wiltshire Police Dog Handlers brought along their four legged

colleagues for a meet and greet.

 Chief Constable Brian Moore said: “I am

very proud of Wiltshire Police and its long history of keeping the people of

Wiltshire safe. This exhibition gives the community a wonderful opportunity to

join in the celebrations marking our 170th year and also to gain a

greater understanding of how policing within their county has developed.”

 Mike Stone, Curator of the Museum and

Heritage Centre added: “Wiltshire has the oldest county police force in England and we

welcome everyone to visit and share our pride in our heritage.”

 The museum is keen to hear from members of

the public who can share their memories of policing within Wiltshire for an

oral history policing archive project.

To contact the museum, please call 01249

705 020 or visit the website www.chippenham.gov.uk.

 For more details about Wiltshire Police’s

170th Anniversary as well as recruitment opportunities, please call

the non-emergency number 0845 408 7000 or log on to www.wiltshire.police.uk.