Police museum fits the bill for summer activity

22 August 2023

If you’re looking for fun things to do for the rest of the school holidays then the West Midlands Police Museum is the place for you.

The museum in the Lock-Up, in Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham has a Terrific Transport theme for the summer, with extra activities for children to do.

There’s a chance to play detective with a forensics trail.

Heritage manager Corinne Brazier said: “You have to find the DNA, footprints and fingerprints, and eliminate the suspects to find out who committed the crime. It’s great fun.”

There’s also the chance to dress up like a police officer and to meet Roger the Safety Car, who was part of a road safety initiative in the 1990s.

The museum has a varied programme of events for the autumn including stage adaptations of infamous true-life crimes, a murder mystery night and a talk on the use of drones in policing.

“There’s something for everyone,” said Corinne.

Members of the West Midlands Police Drone Unit - who have featured on Channel 4’s Sky Coppers - will be shining a light on their work during a talk on Thursday 12 October.

Corinne said: “There’ll be talking about how important drones have become to modern policing and sharing some of their exciting stories.”

Discover more about the darker side of the museum at The Macabre Museum: Stories of Murder and Mayhem.

Hear tales of the real Peaky Blinders, Birmingham’s Connection to Jack the Ripper and see of the museum’s notorious items in its archives.

Held on Sunday 10 September as part of Birmingham Heritage Week, it’s an over 18s only event.

“We’ll hear some of the darker stories of policing in the West Midlands,” said Corinne. “This event covers cases through the Victorian years right up to more recent history, and shows the reality of some of the crimes police officers will have dealt with.”

If you fancy yourself as a detective then the Murder of Florence Campbell murder mystery night on Saturday 30 September is for you.

Corinne said: “You’ll need to look at the evidence and follow the clues to work out who dunnit.”

Scotland Yard Investigates on Friday 6 October is stage adaptations of infamous true-life 19th Century crimes.
 
The museum will be showing three classic Laurel and Hardy films on Friday 13 October as part of the Birmingham Comedy Festival.

Author Ajay Chowdhury will host an interactive workshop on Sunday 22 October titled Decoding Crime Writing: Unleashing the Power of AI and Storytelling.

And on Sunday 5 November the museum will hold a relaxed opening. It will reduce its capacity for the day, quietening its noise levels, and adjusting its lighting levels to create a more relaxed and less overwhelming environment.

Visit the West Midlands Police Museum website for more information including how to book.

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