Changing times of

Kent Police has revealed it is to sell its Maidstone headquarters and relocate its staff. Rising maintenance costs are being blamed for the move. After eight decades there, goes into the archives to explore the history of the county’s force

Prior to 1857, policing in Kent was the responsibility of smaller, local police forces based in individual towns and villages. But it was in this year that John Henry Hay Ruxton, the first chief constable of Kent, was given the job of organising and leading the newly-formed Kent County Constabulary. Ruxton was by all accounts a formidable character. A fearsome former King’s Regiment captain, he had previously been in charge of prison ships taking convicts to Australia. There he was responsible for setting up a penal colony, ensuring sufficient accommodation for staff and prisoners. This undoubtedly tough experience meant he was thought the ideal man to set up the Kent County Constabulary, and the new force was given its first headquarters at Wrens Cross in Stone Street, Maidstone. Day-to-day responsibility for law and order in the county town fell to Maidstone Borough Police, formed in 1836, and using a ramshackle building off King Street.

The county forces’ first home in Wrens Cross - never used as a publicly-accessible police station - was rented, before being bought in 1860 for £1,200. Staffed by 222 officers and men under the leadership of Captain Ruxton, life was tough for the first Kent bobbies.

There were 12 superintendents in charge of divisions, and each was issued with a horse and a two-wheeled cart. Apart from their supervisory roles, they were used for a variety of purposes, including carrying prisoners to the jails in Canterbury and Maidstone. Initially the uniform consisted of a frock coat and a high hat. The more recognisable ‘bobbies’ helmet was not adopted in Kent until 1897.

Then police officers worked seven days a week, and it was not until 1912 that police officers, sergeants and inspecoff tors were allowed one day each fortnight.

In 1889 the borough police forces of Deal, Hythe, Favertentersham, Sandwich, and den were absorbed into the Kent force, with the remaining nine following in 1943 during the Second World War. This had been expected to be temporary, but the move was never reversed once conflict ended. Ruxton - known by many as the Gentleman Chief - brought his 37-year term as chief constable to an end in August 1894. He died on April 20, 1897, and is buried in the parish church cemetery in Hawkhurst.

John Endicott, former curator at the Kent Police Museum, said: “We believe he is the longest-serving Chief Constable in the country.

“He was known as a fair and just man, more often than not seen in his plus fours and tweed jacket than uniform. He was fair to wrongdoers in the force, but if you crossed him twice, look out.” Changes to police life continued. Bicycles, ridden by officers in forage cap, knickers and puttees, were introduced in 1896, with 20 bought at a cost of £8 each.

It was not until 1930 that the force began providing motorbikes. By 1935 the headquarters at Wrens Cross was too small, and the present headquarters in Sutton Road was built. The constabulary relocated to its new home - at the time set in open country

Princess Alexandra at Maidstone Police Headquarters in June 1957