BRIGG POLICE STATION CELEBRATES 40 YEARS SERVING THE TOWN

Brigg police station, on Barnard Avenue, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
Humberside Police opened the new station in 1978 to replace the town's original Victorian one on Wrawby Street, next to the courthouse (see picture below).
The new station was the HQ of the Brigg and Barton sub-division, with Chief Inspector Bill Horsfield, who lived in Brigg, the commanding officer.
The station has served Brigg well over four decades.
While police stations in many small towns have been closed in recent years on the ground of economy and rationalisation, Brigg's is still open.
As a community we should be very grateful for that.
While a young reporter on the  Lincolnshire Times weekly newspaper in the early 1980s we often made an early morning walk across the car park from our office at 57 Wrawby Street to make what we called "police calls" - Saturdays included.
Officers would supply information about incidents during the previous 24 hours; everything from poaching to punch-ups.
If there had been a major incident, Chief Insp Bill would invite us into his office for a chat, or delegate the task to one of his inspectors or sergeants.
Staffing was much different to today - a local constable and some PCSOs.
The Times and The Star closed long ago, and the way today's police force handles media inquiries is very different since the internet and emails came along.
But there's still a lot to be said for the old-fashioned face-to-face system.
Police and press got to know each other at local level and appeals for witnesses to incidents, made through the local press, often helped clear up crimes.
Brigg police attended meetings of the Town Council to answer questions and give updates.
Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, they also prosecuted minor cases in person at Brigg courthouse.
Our chief inspector was a fine advocate in court, with local solicitors representing the accused.
Police even issued the press with typewritten court lists outlining who was coming up before Brigg  magistrates on Wednesday and Friday mornings.
The court had a legal clerk who managed proceedings and local police officers (usually constables) took the stand to give evidence.
The usher - a Brigg woman - would call people into court once proceedings got under way.
The press had seats at the side of the court, offering a good view of the dock and the raised bench where the magistrates sat.
They included Lt Col Roger Nelthorpe, of Scawby Hall, and the Earl of Yarborough.
Three usually sat at a time, giving summary justice  - usually fines but occasionally short prison sentences.
Those charged with more serious offences would be sent for trial at the crown court by our magistrates.
It was a great, free show for interested members of the public who were welcome to exercise their right to observe justice being done.
The old police station, dating back to the mid-19th century, had cells and a couple of houses next door, occupied by sergeants and their families.
These houses are still there today, although not longer in police use, while the old police station and courthouse have been tastefully converted to residential use.

Brigg police station nearing completion in 1978 with Chief Insp Bill Horsfield second from the left.

The public inquiry desk at Brigg police station pictured a few years ago by Ken Harrison.

A side view of the original Brigg police station on Wrawby Street, taken by Ken Fisher in the early 1970s. Renowned K's Korner Cafe is on the right, with the police houses on the left.