Northumbria Police Chrome Helmet Plate Badge (1974-2022 Pattern)

Northumbria Police chrome helmet plate badge (1974–2022 pattern), an original example of British police headgear insignia associated with the Northumbria Police.

Manufactured in chrome-plated metal, the helmet plate features the official badge of Northumbria Police surmounted by St Edward’s Crown, identifying it as the Queen’s Crown pattern worn during the reign of Elizabeth II. The polished chrome finish provided a durable and low-maintenance appearance while preserving the traditional style of the British custodian helmet.

This pattern was introduced in 1974 following the formation of Northumbria Police under the Local Government Act 1972. The new force was created by amalgamating several police services, including Northumberland Constabulary, Newcastle upon Tyne City Police, the majority of Durham Constabulary north of the River Tyne, and parts of Tynemouth Borough Police and Sunderland Borough Police. Since its formation, Northumbria Police has been responsible for policing the counties of Northumberland and Tyne and Wear, serving communities including Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, Gateshead, North Tyneside, and South Tyneside.

Helmet plates of this pattern were worn by serving police officers on the front of the traditional custodian helmet from 1974 until 2022, when newly manufactured insignia began to adopt the Tudor Crown following the accession of Charles III. Queen’s Crown examples therefore represent the final helmet plates of the Elizabeth II era and mark an important period in the history of modern British policing.

Original Northumbria Police helmet plates are increasingly sought after by collectors of police insignia, particularly Queen’s Crown examples from the force’s first five decades of service.

Manufactured in chrome-plated metal with original attachment fittings to the reverse, this example represents an attractive and collectable piece of modern British police history.

Dimensions

Approx. 115mm height

Condition

Good overall original condition, with crisp detailing and a well-preserved chrome finish. The bolt on the reverse is missing as is most of the shank of the pin. The bottom of the starburst is slightly distorted