MUSEUM HISTORY The museum was the brainchild of the late Brighton Councillor John Drake.  His wife adopted it as her mayoral project and the museum was opened on the 4th May 2005 by the Mayor of the City of Brighton and Hove, Councillor Mrs Pat Drake. The museum was created thanks to the work and enthusiasm of retired and serving police officers and council staff and with the wonderful support of the Brighton Princes Trust and graphics students from the University of Brighton.
730 visitors in the first year
In the first year 2005-6, some 730 people visited the museum and display material was constantly added.  The Old Police Cells Society held their first AGM, adopted a constitution, sought Public donations from visitors and the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Mrs. Phyllida Stewart-Robert became the president of the Society.
In 2006 a successful application was made for a lottery "Awards For All" grant of £10,000. This enabled us to appoint a museum trainee assistant, set up this web site and redecorate the museum.
In spring 2007 a licence was also signed with Brighton & Hove City Council and a further five cell expansion acquired for the museum to enable specialists areas to be dedicated to East and West Sussex Police, Hastings and Eastbourne Borough Police Forces.

Another magnificent job
Twelve further display cabinets have been bought and the Princes Trust volunteers have done  a magnificant job once more of repairing and redecoration of the additional cells.
Some 800 further visitors have looked around the museum in its second year of opening.  The cells have been used as a Film location by the BBC; also to stage a major money raising day by the National Children's Homes in a Jail and Bail event and formed the setting for the World Premier of the New World Order plays by Harold Pinter during the first two weeks of the 2007 Brighton Festival.
Spring 2007 heralded the opening of the female cell extension and their dedication to the constituent part that together formed Sussex Police in 1967. The cells display, artefacts and memorabilia relating to West Sussex, East Sussex, Hastings, Eastbourne and finally Sussex Police.
The Museum are delighted to accept on permanent loan one of the finest collections of truncheons and tipstaffs in the country by Alderman Caffyn throughout his lifetime.
The 2008 Brighton Fringe Festival saw the staging of a lyrical and haunting new drama by playwright and poet Ed Harris entitled Toral in the atmospheric sub-basement of the Museum.
The website was launched and a Museum assistant was engaged on a short contract.
A further male cell was acquired in October 2008 from Brighton & Hove City Council and later dedicated to retired ACC John Dibley OBE, a founder Member of the Museum, following his sad death in December 2008. The cell features his exceptional service and that of many other officers and also contains the special court exhibits and model from the bombing of the Grand Hotel bomb trial.
Educational aids, participation sheets and dressing up material have been provided to cater for all age groups. CDs of the History of the Constituents Forces can be purchased for £10 each together with books of Sussex Police History for £5.
The Brighton Fringe Festival of 2009 saw the return of the Squaremoon Company with an evocative play ‘Nourish’ featuring the life and imprisonment of Sylivia Pantchurst. The play won The Angel Trophy for the company, awarded by The Argus newspaper.
In July 2009 a report on the Museum progress was received at a meeting of the Sussex Police Authority.
In 2010 Brighton Festival the Museum was able to host a variety of short plays involving Northbrook College, John Matthews “Nevermore” an evening with Poe and Christopher with short playlets.
Four further male cells were leased from Brighton & Hove City Council and are now filled with exhibits to bring the story of Sussex police up to the present day.
The Society's very sincere thanks go to all who have helped us so much - our committee, our volunteer guides, the University of Brighton, the Brighton Princes trust, Sussex Police, and the officers of the Brighton & Hove Council particularly property services, Brighton museum and the town hall keepers and reception staff.
Jail and Bail
A highly successful Jail and Bail event to raise funds for Sussex Crimestoppers and the Old Police Cells Museum was held in February 2010. Our most sincere thanks go to all who took part and raised some £12,000. These included Dame Vera Lynn, Peter James our famous local author, Martin Richards Chief Constable, Martin Perry of Brighton & Hove Albion, John Barradell Chief Executive Brighton & Hove City Council, Mark Eteen Manager of SASSCO, Anne Busfield Manager Hilton Brighton Metropolie, Graham Baddock Crime Investigation Manager, Legal and General, The Deputy Lord Lietenant, Michael Chowen, The High Sherriff of East Sussex Bill Shelford, Past High Sherriff Hugh Benett, Dr Laurie Bush Chairman of Sussex Police Authority and the Chairman of East Sussex Magistrates Peter

Duncan Barfoot braved Halloween night in the cells to raise money for the Charity MIND and the Old Police Cells Museum.

May 2011 will see the restaging of the most memorable short plays of Harold Pinter in Brighton Town Hall and the Museum throughout the Brighton Festival. The never to be forgotten atmospheric performance was a complete sell out before the festival opened when world permiered here in 2007. Book early.

The Museum has applied for full Museum accreditation and Charity Status.

Click here for The history of policing in Brighton and Hove