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Lothian & Borders Police 1975 - 2013

Lothian and Borders Police

Lothian and Borders Police was formed on 16 May 1975 from an amalgamation of Edinburgh City Police, Berwick Roxburgh and Selkirk Constabulary and Lothians and Peebles Constabulary.

Edinburgh City Police were formed in 1805. They amalgamated in 1920 with Leith Burgh Police, formed in 1859. Portobello had a force in 1858 but this amalgamated with Edinburgh-shire in 1859. However, in 1896 the City boundaries were extended and Portobello came into Edinburgh from that date.

Berwick Roxburgh and Selkirk Constabulary were formed in 1948 in an amalgamation of Berwickshire Constabulary (1850), Roxburgh Constabulary (1850) and Selkirkshire Constabulary (1846).

The Burgh of Kelso had a separate police force until 1881-1882 when it amalgamated with the County of Roxburgh. Hawick Burgh Police, formed in 1840, amalgamated with Roxburgh in 1930.

The Burgh of Galashiels also had its own force from 1850 to 1930 when it amalgamated with Selkirkshire Constabulary.

Lothians and Peebles Constabulary were formed in 1950 from an amalgamation of Haddingtonshire/East Lothian Constabulary (1832), Linlithgowshire/ West Lothian Constabulary (1840), Edinburghshire/Mid Lothian Constabulary (1840) and Peebles County Constabulary (1841).

Musselburgh had a separate force in 1835 under the control of George Henry List (CC of Haddingtonshire).

Haddington Burgh had a force prior to 1874-1875.

North Berwick had a separate force to 1857-1858.

Dunbar Burgh had a separate force until 1869-1870.

The force ceased to exist on the formation of Police Scotland on 1 April, 2013, an auspicious date to choose indeed?

The images below show some of the insignia and equipment from the forces other than Edinburgh City and Leith Burgh that became Lothian and Borders Police.

The original Lothian & Borders Police Coat of Arms from 16 May 1975

The original Lothian & Borders Police Coat of Arms from 1975

The second Lothian & Borders Police Coat of Arms

Lothian and Borders Police Mounted Section officers.

Lothian and Borders Police Mounted Section

Lothian and Borders Police was formed on 16 May 1975 from an amalgamation of Edinburgh City Police, Berwick Roxburgh and Selkirk Constabulary and Lothians and Peebles Constabulary.

Of the amalgamated forces, only Edinburgh City Police had a Mounted Section. I believe this picture was taken in the early years of Lothian and borders for a number of reasons.

The male officer's horse has a Martingale Badge that is an Edinburgh City Police ceremonial helmet plate adapted for that use. His cap badge is the post 1975 'Semper Vigilo' badge with a Queen's crown while the female officer is wearing a cap badge that is a version of the Inspector's and above, bullion badge where the embroidery is all silver and white.

I believe this badge was specially made for the Mounted Section. I have not see it used by any other force. Please feel free to tell me if you know better?

Please get in touch if you can identify either officer too. Thank you.

Berwickshire Constabulary 1859 - 1948

To see the Berwickshire Constabulary gallery, please click here