The Greater Manchester Police Museum

The museum is based in Newton Street police station, a Victorian building opened in 1879.

It still contains the original charge office and the cells for the prisoners. Other galleries house examples of police vehicles and displays of uniforms and equipment. There are also rooms devoted to crime and forensic science, forgery and international policing. A museum shop sells a wide variety of souvenirs. The museum contains in addition the archive collection for Greater Manchester Police which comprises a mix of official records, personal memorabilia and photographs. Enquiries about the archives or the collections are welcomed by letter, or e-mail.

The museum opened in 1981 and is staffed by a curator, a museum officer and a team of volunteers, nearly all of whom are retired police officers.

The museum has recently been added to with a period courtroom on the first floor.

Opening Times

The museum is open every Tuesday from 10.30am to 3.30pm and for groups or archive researchers on other weekdays by appointment. The museum is closed weekends and public holidays. Please allow at least 2 hours for your visit. All group visits must be by prior appointment. Recommended maximum group size 30.

The museum is now fully accessible to people with poor mobility, full wheelchair access to both floors by a specially commissioned new lift plus proper toilet facilities for wheelchair users. Toilets are available on site, but there is no parking for visitors and there are no refreshments available.

The museum is a ten minute walk from Piccadilly rail station, bus station and Piccadilly Gardens metrolink.

Postal address:

Greater Manchester Police Museum,
Newton Street,
Manchester,
M1 1ES.

Telephone: 0161 856 3287
Fax: 0161 856 3286
E-mail: police.museum@gmp.police.uk