Telling sad stories about the end of our Police Station …….

Actually, is it less a story and more a collection of pictures taken by Garry Luttman who was on hand to record the demolition of Eltham’s Police Station

Just before opening, 1936/37

It opened sometime around 1936/7, and after over 80 years of service it closed permanently in August 2021.

The front desk had been closed four years earlier, but there remained a police presence until 2021.

Of course for those who live in Eltham this will not be news, but there are lots of us who were born here or grew up in Eltham who may not know that the police station has gone.

All of which makes Garry's pictures so important because they record its end.

Somewhere there will be photographs of the place being built and others of the time between then and now. 

2023

I am hoping that they will surface along with memories and anecdotes of the station and those who used it.

2023

And just before I posted the story Garry came up with an image from 1936/7 showing the finishing touches being made before the station was opened adding, "I have especially fond memories of the place, as my late father was stationed there for a number of years and it was, infact, his last 'Nick'. 

The last stages, 2023

If we were in Eltham when he was on leave, he would occasionally take my brother and I into the canteen for a cup of tea and some biscuits!"

Back in 2019 I wrote about its history and that story prompted a heap of accounts from people who had been summoned to the station, has asked for help or just remembered its presence.*

So here’s hoping that this story will elicit some responses, like those that have started to come through from yesterday’s article.**

Location; Well Hall Road, Eltham

Pictures, Eltham Police Station, 2023, and in 1936/7 from the collection of Garry Luttman.

*Eltham Police Station .............. one of those buildings I have always taken for granted, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/2019/06/eltham-police-station-one-of-those.html

**Pictures from an Eltham Walk ......no. 1 ...... goodbye after 84 years, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/2023/09/pictures-from-eltham-walk-no-1-goodbye.html