The police collection documents the story of policing in the district from 1800 to 2001. The collection consists of photos, documents and artefacts from the Waltham Abbey Police Historical Collection and the Waltham Abbey Historical Society.

The collection centres on the history of the former Metropolitan Police J Division, including information on horse patrol, local courts, Police Stations, the RGPF Police and officers at Waltham Abbey station.

Available online:

Peelers Progress. Policing in Waltham Abbey since 1840.
© Bryn Elliott
(Please note: the photographs in this publication are only available on request. Please contact the Museum.)

List of police officers stationed at Waltham Abbey
1840 - 1990.

Photographs of Waltham Abbey Police

Photographs of Lippitts Hill Police

Photographs of Loughton Police

Access

Items not currently on display can be viewed by appointment only. Please contact the Museum for further information by email or by phone on 01992 716 882. 

The collection contains material relating to policing both inside and outside the Epping Forest District. Areas covered include: Abridge, Bethnal Green, Chadwell Heath, Cheshunt, Chigwell, Claybury, Chingford, Dalston, Enfield, Epping, Hackney, Leyton, Leytonstone, Loughton,  Lippitts Hill, Nazeing, Waltham Abbey, the Royal Gunpowder Mills, Walthamstow, Wanstead and Woodford.