Dotted around London are a couple of remnants of our policing past – blue emergency telephone boxes that at one time would have been located across the city and allowed both police officers and members of the public to call in emergencies. Unfortunately none of the ‘Doctor Who’ style boxes remain on the streets (they were a little home from home for an officer on duty, often including a heater, seat and desk) but a few of the boxes which sit on top of posts can be found in various spots across central London.
The one in the photograph can be found on the north-western corner of Grosvenor Square, but I’ve found an interesting pdf file that provides an extensive history of their creation, use and decline, which you can download here if you’re interested in investigating further.
February 22, 2012 at 9:40 am
There are quite a few TARDISs across town, though only a couple have any claims to authenticity http://londonist.com/2011/07/a-spotters-guide-to-the-tardis-in-london.php
February 23, 2012 at 12:03 am
OK so my guess would be that there are only 2 “authentic” boxes left (and I wouldn’t be too sure about the one in the Churchill War Rooms – those things are made of cast concrete and it would have been hell to maneuver it into the building). So if we discount that one the only way to get up close and personal to a blue police box will also guarantee you a night in the cells, at best!