Brighton Old Police Cells
The foundation stone of Brighton Town Hall was laid in 1830 by Thomas Read Kemp. It was designed by Thomas Cooper as the headquarters of the Brighton Town Commissioners. Cooper was also responsible for the original beautiful Bedford Hotel, one of Brighton’s greatest ever buildings, which was replaced with an ugly tower during the 1960s that is today the Holiday Inn. The Town Hall is classically proportioned with many great features including giant Ionic columns and grand staircases. Its architectural importance was recognised in 1971 when it received Grade II Listed status.
Brighton Borough Police was formed in 1838 and moved straight into the basement of Brighton Town Hall. From 1897-9, their premises were enlarged as part of a large interior reconstruction. In 1907, a bicycle was purchased! Today, Brighton & Hove City Council meets in the Town Hall. Brighton Police, however, moved into larger premises on John Street in 1965. The Sussex Constabulary was formed in 1968 when the Police Forces of Brighton, East Sussex, West Sussex, Eastbourne and Hastings were amalgamated.
The best bit of the tour is the story of the murder of Brighton’s first Chief Constable, Henry Solomon, in 1844. Solomon was killed in the Town Hall by a carpet thief, John Lawrence, whom he was interviewing. Lawrence grabbed a poker from a fireplace, which is still there, and smashed Solomon’s skull. Lawrence was hung soon after.
