Opened in 1940, West End Central Police Station once stood as a vital hub. It was the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police’s ‘C’ division. Now, let’s delve into its history.
West End Central Police Station was more than just a building. Its location was 27 Savile Row in Mayfair. This placed it near the junction with Boyle Street. The station code ‘CD’ marked it as a divisional headquarters. It covered the City of Westminster.
Picture this: the year is 1969. Noise complaints flood in about a band playing too loud. Officers dispatched from West End Central Police Station were the ones to shut down The Beatles’ rooftop concert. Can you imagine the excitement and chaos?
The architecture was designed by Sir John Burnet, Tait & Lorne. They collaborated with G. M. Trench. Trench was the Metropolitan Police’s chief architect. The station was a six-storeyed building. Its front featured Portland stone. The fifth and sixth storeys were set back. The lower four storeys had long horizontal bands of windows. These windows were divided into alternating wide and narrow groups. A wide main entrance stood in the center of the ground storey. It included a short flight of steps and a deep canopy above.
Before West End Central Police Station, policing was handled by Vine Street Station and Marlborough Street Station. These stations operated from 1833-1940 and 1900-1940. The new station aimed to consolidate operations. However, increased police work led to the creation of two sub-divisions: C.D.1 and C.D.2.
In 1966, the need for more space led to reinstating the former Vine Street police station. This eased the burden on West End Central. In 1971, the new Vine Street police station became operational. It was located at 10 Piccadilly Place.
The Commissioner, Sir John Waldron, wanted to retain the name “Vine Street”. The street name had been changed to Piccadilly Place after the original Vine Street police station closed. The Greater London Council and Westminster City Council agreed to rename a portion of Piccadilly Place back to Vine Street.
Unfortunately, the front desk of West End Central Police Station closed in 2017. The station was sold to a private developer for a reported £50 million. While no longer a police station, its history remains. West End Central Police Station played a significant role in maintaining order in the West End. Its story connects to famous events and figures. From The Beatles to daily policing, its impact is undeniable.