c1937-68 East Sussex Constabulary Police Force Collar Badge

Collar badge East Sussex Constabulary, white metal on lugs. GC.

The insignia features symbols deeply rooted in Sussex heritage: six Martlets, these mythical, footless birds (representing swallows) have been the symbol of Sussex since the 17th century. Saxon Crown: The badge is topped with a Saxon crown, which was part of the official arms granted to the County of East Sussex in 1937.


East Sussex Constabulary was formed in 1840 and covered the area of East Sussex except for the boroughs of Brighton, Hove, Eastbourne and Hastings, which were served by their own borough police forces. During the Second World War these forces, together with West Sussex Constabulary, were temporarily amalgamated in 1943 to form the Sussex Police Force. After the war, the forces reverted in 1947 to their previous formation, except that Hove remained part of East Sussex Constabulary, whose headquarters were relocated to Malling House, Lewes in 1948. In addition there were divisional headquarters at East Grinstead, Lewes, Bexhill and Hove.

During the post-war years a number of specialist units were created, including Criminal Investigation (CID), Drugs, Special Branch, Policewomen, Firearms, etc.

On 1 January 1968 the East Sussex forces were re-amalgamated with those of West Sussex to form the Sussex Constabulary, renamed the Sussex Police in 1974.

Code: 1961