West Midlands Police Museum — Attraction in Birmingham

It used to be the old Steelhouse Lane prison. It was used by West Midlands Police from 1891 to 2017 and many of the original Victorian features are still present, alongside more modern custody facilities. In 1933 it was the Birmingham Police Station. The carvings over the entrance, including the coat of arms of Birmingham, are by the local sculptor William Bloye. The station sits on a plot of land at the rear of the former Victoria Law Courts, which was originally acquired for the extension of the court building. The building is separated by a tunnel that goes under Coleridge Passage which used to see prisoners being sent from the cells direct to the courts. Prisoners would generally spend less than 24 hours in the Lock-up before being sent to court in the morning.

There were originally around 70 cells spread across three floors. The Lock-up is entered at ground level and there is a basement and a first floor. The basement contains the original kitchen and there is evidence of an old dumb waiter (potentially powered by an early Birmingham hydraulics network) which would have been used to transport food up to the ground and first floors. There is a glass roof which would have provided all the natural light into the building, in addition to a single window on each floor down the side of the building, with no other windows in the cell area. There is evidence of small enclosures next to each cell door where an oil burner or lantern would have provided light into the cells for prisoners and out for staff working there.

The top floor (due to the natural light) was used for prisoner photography and it is here that the famous Peaky Blinder mugshots were taken. The mug shots of Harry Fowler (“Baby Face”), Ernest Bayles, Stephen McHickie and Thomas Gilbert, wearing their trademark flat caps, even adorn the walls of the 128 year old prison. People often ask if the Peaky Blinders were a real gang: they were, and they caused misery to a lot of people in the city so we have to be careful not to glorify their actions. They were criminals at the end of the day. The records have them down for several offences like stealing, but they moved into illegal practices involving horse racing and betting. Baby Face was arrested at age 19 for stealing a bicycle in October 1904. McNickle and Haynes were also arrested at the same time for stealing a bicycle and home raid respectively. Each was held for one month for his crimes. The West Midlands police records described the three arrested as "young men with dirty mouths lurking in the streets in drunken groups, insulting and robbing passersby." Taylor was arrested at age 13 for carrying a loaded firearm.

For around sixty years, until closed in 2005, the station housed a private bar, allowing officers to drink when not on duty.The police station closed for the final time on Sunday 15 January 2017. Now it has reopened its doors, and on special occasions (I think it is once a month - you have to visit its website), you can access the building and enjoy a...

Came here today with my father who was a serving police officer at the station until 1999 and his retirement. Unfortunately he now has dementia but thought this would be a nice trip down memory lane for him. It was absolutely brilliant from start to finish. My first email Making enquiries for wheelchair access couldn’t have been handled any better. It bought back some really good memories for him. From the office as he worked with his servicing officers to the prisoners that were there and even the old cat cookie! Well worth a visit and wheelchair accessible. A special shout out to Phil, Bernard and Jonathan. Never met Bernard but he was so helpful in all his email correspondence and he had clearly given the heads up that my dad an ex-serving officer would be coming. When we arrived Phil gave him an absolutely fantastic welcome and remembered working with him in the old days! My dad also remembered him. Phil reeled of loads of names and my dad remembered several of them. He was so kind he had me in tears with his kindness. He also told everybody there that my dad was an ex serving officer and they gave him a round of applause. I know my dad would’ve really appreciated this although he doesn’t show much emotion these days I know deep down he would’ve been really touched. Jonathan was so kind to taking time out of your busy day to show me all my dads police work records and email them to me. I’d definitely recommend coming here. We both loved it! Thank you all for making a special...

Really enjoyed this museum. Interesting to see the history of the building and west midlands as a police force. Feel like theres so much more that could be added to the rooms for the histroy. It does lack a little. Feels sparcely furnished. I get its the histroy of the west midlands and I enjoyed every bit of it but if it incorporated the police throughout the UK they could jam pack the place with fascinating stuff.

One of the best pieces, photo supplied is the book containing prisoners, mugshots and offences. That book, books like it would make an amazing exhibit if all the pages could be copied and placed on the walls.

A serial killer expo, although dark would be something that would fascinate customers.

Riots, cybercrime, unsolved mursers, missing persons etc, all could make interesting exhibits, with some care for dpa and victims.

The shop had pretty decent books on for sale. Eslecially the old moriaty police books. Loved them and have a few different editions at home.

Wheelchair friendly as it has a lift to go between floors. Its very close to a multistorey carpark (SNOWHILL) which is literally a six (6) minute walk from there. There are also a few four (4) hour parking slots around the city.

Staff were very friendly and engaging and I would probably attend again, but wouldnt travel from outside of the city to see as it simply doesnt have enough to warrant a excursion.

If you happen to be in Birmingham for whatever reason then...