A NEW book documenting the history of Cheshire Police has been published.

A Bobby′s Job: Images of Policing in Cheshire, is a collection of black and white photographs from the extensive archives held at the Museum of Policing in Cheshire, based in Warrington.

The book delves into the history and development of policing in the county − from the formation of the first police forces in the early 19th century, through the Victorian and Edwardian period, the interwar years and into the second half of the 20th century when policing underwent fundamental change.

A Bobby′s Job has been compiled by Will Brown, a volunteer of the Museum of Policing, based at the Arpley Street Police Station.

He was helped by police volunteers who give time at the museum.

The book features stories about officers and staff from old Cheshire − when the force area included parts of the current Merseyside and Greater Manchester forces − as well as from within the current force boundaries (including stories from Warrington when the town was part of the Lancashire Police Force).

Among the stories, are those close to the First World War.

A spokesman for Cheshire police said: “The story of the Thelwell family illustrates how policing was often a vocation chosen by families, with fathers and sons committing to the same profession.

“James and Ernest Thelwell both served as bobbies in Cheshire, with James completing 27 years in the Force and retiring just a few months after his son joined the Force.

“Tragically James′ son, Ernest James Thelwell, was killed in action on the Somme while serving with the Grenadier Guards aged just 25, having joined the constabulary just three years earlier.

“Ernest′s death is commemorated on the on the War Memorial plaque alongside other police officers who died during the First World War.”

A Bobby′s Job: Images of Policing in Cheshire is available from The History Press (thehistorypress.co.uk/) and bookshops, priced £13.99 − a percentage of which will go to supporting the work of the Museum of Policing in Cheshire.