The museum has over 4,000 items relating to policing history in the West Midlands at the museum including uniforms, equipment, officer records, some of the world’s oldest prisoner mug shots and motorbikes.
The Grade II listed Steelhouse Lane Lock-up opened in 1891, operating until 2016. Prisoners would normally spend less than 24 hours in the Lock-up before going to court. Originally, there were 70 cells across three floors. The top floor was where the prisoners’ mugshots would be taken, including the famous Peaky Blinders. The building was refurbished between 2021 and 2022.
What can be found at the venue?
Records or archive, Collection of artifacts, Historic building or site
Related crime and punishment profession / organisation
Police, Prison
Does the venue have an online collections catalogue?
Details of opening for public access and / or research services
The museum is open every Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
Entrance charges: Adults £9; Child (3-15) £5.50; Concessions £7.70; children under 3 and carer with registered disabled are free.
The museum holds police officer records for: Birmingham City Police, Coventry City Police, Dudley Borough Police, Walsall Borough Police, Wolverhampton Borough Police. It also holds some prisoner records for Birmingham from the 1850s to the 1930s. Contact the museum for assistance on researching.
Available services or facilities
Shop, Toilets
Accessibility and disability arrangements / Covid requirements
There is some limited street parking outside the museum.
Full details on access can be found at: https://museum.west-midlands.police.uk/plan-your-visit/access/
Other connected heritage sites, museums or archives