In 1839, The County Police Act was enacted enabling counties to employ paid police officers. Prior to that, from medieval times, this work was carried out by part-time parish constables who were only paid expenses. In consequence, a police station was built in Guithavon Street together with a Court. It opened in 1849.
The 20th century and, in particular, the arrival of the motor vehicle meant that the Court was overwhelmed with cases and could not cope. A new Police Station and Magistrates Court was therefore constructed at a cost of approximately £36,000 and opened in 1937. Originally, police officers resided in the building providing increased patrols which were considered necessary by the government of the time. Such was the demand of the needs for local policing that to increase the staff the resident police officers moved out. Certainly, from the 1970s onwards, it was considered necessary, in order to provide proper policing for Witham, to have substantial numbers of police officers working from the police station. At one time, there was a Chief Inspector, an Inspector, at least five Sergeants and approximately 20 Constables working there. Additionally, the building housed the Criminal Investigation Department which comprised a Detective Sergeant and approximately five Detective Constables.
In March 2016, it was decided that Witham did not need this number of police officers and the building was closed and sold. Witham's policing needs are provided from Braintree some miles away. It is now a nursery and looks a little different.
Anyone driving into Witham, will see that the town is twinned with the German town of Waldbrol. The reason for that connection may not be well known.
In 1975, Police Constable Atherton, who worked at Witham Police Station, went to Waldbrol. He shared a common interest with the local Police Inspector in Waldbrol in stamp collecting. Friendships were formed and exchange visits took place between the German and British Police Officers. Thereafter, Police Constable Atherton made contact with various local Witham people and a twinning Association was formed. The cache owners thank John Atherton for his assistance in preparing the description for this cache.