Records of the Caernarvonshire Constabulary

Records of Caernarvonshire Constabulary and the Gwynedd Constabulary, 1857-1969, including minute books, 1889-1967; Chief Constable's reports and bills, 1861-1930; general order books, 1857-1969; police staffing records, 1857-1952, including nominal rolls, 1857-1924; Constables' monthly reports and inspection reports, 1889-1928; certificates of efficiency of the Police Force, 1875-1908; returns, 1857-1939; correspondence, 1858-1947; financial records of divisions, 1857-1952; County Constabulary financial records, 1857-1967; Police and County Rate records, 1881-1900; financial records of Caernarfonshire County Council, 1859-1897; miscellaneous financial papers, 1859-1897; registers of charges, 1875-1954; crime registers, 1898-1949; penalties books, 1881-1954; registers of previous convictions, 1861-1959; cell meal books, 1881-1951; registers of aliens, 1916-1951; registers of lost and found property, 1924-1951; miscellaneous registers, 1882-1951; journals, 1880-1945; police reports and charge sheets, 1886-1903; prosecution papers, 1866-1950, including court proceedings, 1882-1938; prisoners' records, 1884-1950; financial records,1866-1903; records relating to the coroner, 1885-1900; records relating to contagious diseases, 1878-1900; licensing records, 1872-1952; reports of the Inspectors of Constabulary to the Secretary of State, 1869-1907; periodicals, 1897-1929; miscellaneous records relating to the police, 1885-1953; miscellaneous, 1866-1946; and photographs, [c. 1869]-1961.

The Caernarvonshire Constabulary was formed in 1857 following the Counties Police Act 1856. Initially it was overseen by Caernarfonshire Court of Quarter Sessions, but after 1888, the Constabulary was administered by the Standing Joint Committee of Quarter Sessions and Caernarfonshire County Council, until 1951, when it was amalgamated with the Gwynedd Constabulary. The Constabulary contained five divisions or districts, with their respective headquarters in Caernarfon, Bangor, Conwy, Porthmadog and Nefyn. Pwllheli remained independent of the Caernarvonshire Constabulary until 1879. In 1892, the Pwllheli division was amalgamated with Porthmadog. Divisions maintained records including crime registers, summons books, registers of charges, accident books and visits books.

Arranged into the following: Establishment of County Constabulary; minute books; Chief Constable's reports and bills; general order books; staffing; certificates of efficiency; returns; correspondence; financial; registers; journals of policemen; police reports and charge sheets; prosecution papers; Coroner; contagious diseases; licensing; reports of the Inspectors of Constabulary; periodicals; miscellaneous police papers; miscellaneous; and photographs.

No restrictions

Source not recorded

Compiled by Richard Burman for the ANW project. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Caernarfon Record Office, Records of the Caernarvonshire Constabulary, catalogue; UK Police History, (http://www.police999.com/history/ourpolice01.html), viewed 19 November 2004.

Hard copies of the catalogue are available in Caernarfon Record Office and the National Register of Archives.

Usual copyright regulations apply.

All records deposited at Caernarfon Record Office have been retained.

Accruals are not expected

Further material is Caernarfon Record Office, XD2/14108-14218.