THE BARRY and District has a history of law enforcement which doesn't necessarily begin with the construction of the dock after 1884.

This week, although not the earliest in the area, we turn to the police station at St Nicholas, along A48 heading towards Cardiff on the right-hand side. Our station this week is constructed from limestone - probably carboniferous - and with a type of pennant sandstone for windows etc.

The St Nicholas Police Station is a purpose built home for one of the new buildings of the Glamorgan Constabulary. Founded by Captain Charles Frederick George Napier, the then Chief Constable. Being cited on the main route way connecting London, then Cardiff, Bridgend all the way to Pembroke Dock. The days of highway men along the mail and coaching route were behind us in 1858, but a station with holding cells was needed seven miles west of the Cardiff City centre.

In my research there is reference to an earlier police station at this site going back to 1841, however I haven't found anything to prove this. If this is the case it would make it the first purpose built police station in the Barry and District.

There had been prior to the 1970s a Court House slightly East of the Police Station, but this having been demolished. The location of the court house and police station, states to the need and importance of law and order in the 1850's and the need as such at St.Nicholas. Although the Police Station, now over 160 years old is within the St.Nicholas Conservation area, it is not Listed and afforded the protection that has been afforded to much more recent structures in the Barry and District. Although the police station is listed as number 1612 of the Vale of Glamorgan County Treasures.

By the 1880s the police station with its court house was within an ever growing community with a school, one blacksmiths, a public house, three places of worship, grocer, two tailors, carpenter, three butchers, post office, wheelwright, 2 boot and shoe makers and a lot of farmers, or yes a train link 2 miles north at Peterston-Super-Ely.

The police station is no longer home to the constabulary, but is still used for offices, and signage of the old days still returned.

More from the Barry and District next week.