The Museum of Armed Policing at Chatteris – opened in December 2018 and visited the following year by Princess Anne – has shut up shop. The museum was housed in the former police station at Chatteris, but the town council has been told it has closed.
Cllr Sharon Selman told councillors she had contacted the museum whilst updating the town guide, only to be told it had closed and items were being moved out.
Cllr Ian Benney added that he understood the museum had closed because it had lost its funding.
Great day filming with clients at the @PFOA_UK Museum of Armed Policing #MartisMedia pic.twitter.com/bjSny9sOyk
— Royston Martis (@RoamingRoyston) June 3, 2019
The museum – opened officially by Simon Chesterman, UK Lead for Armed Policing – began to accept public bookings for visits from January 14, 2019.
Exhibits on display highlighted the use of firearms by police officers dating back to the 17th century.
It also housed a virtual firing range to show how police are tested in real-life situations.
'A lasting legacy': Museum honouring firearms officers' history is building bridges: Museum of Armed Policing aims to spread firearms officers' message 'as far afield as we can'. https://t.co/uJFZMgUUNn pic.twitter.com/keu4R0uohJ
— Police Oracle (@Police_Oracle) December 9, 2018
The museum shared the building with the Police Firearms Officers Association (PFOA) who have moved their office to a local business park.
Mr Chesterman, said the museum will “celebrate the quality of the training and the quality of the men and women who are involved in armed policing.”
Our Hull cadets visited the @pfoa_uk Museum of Armed Policing yesterday! They had a fab time learning the history of armed policing and the high skill set and demands made of being a firearms officer! @Humberbeat @HP_CSU @NationalVPC pic.twitter.com/4rQl9An5M2
— Lifestyle (@HP_LifestyleYET) April 12, 2019
In 2019 Princess Anne paid a 90-minute visit to the museum and met Mark Williams, a retired Metropolitan police officer, who set up the PFOA in 2009 before later adding the museum.
The PFOA supports firearms officers and their families – it has been approached by CambsNews for a comment.
