A Victorian-style blue lamp is being fitted at Uppingham 'police station'.

It was announced, last week, that police stations in Leicestershire and Rutland would welcome new blue lights outside stations to improve visibility.

Following a meeting between Uppingham town clerk, Sharon Coe, and Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Rupert Matthews, it was decided that a symbolic lamp would be installed at the town hall in High Street East – the location of Uppingham's police office.

This comes after a new front desk and police sign was introduced on Oakham's Station Road in March 2023 as the force work towards improving visibility of the police in towns and on social media.

PCC Rupert Matthews fitting a blue lamp. Image credit: PCC Rupert Matthews.

Mr Matthews said: "The blue lamp is an iconic piece of British policing history and symbolises not only law, order and justice, but safety and sanctuary. These values are just important to our communities today and this is just one of the many ways I aim to reconnect residents with the policing values of the past.

"As commissioner, I have made it my mission to increase confidence and trust in local policing. The visible presence of a police officer or police station at the heart of a community has always offered immeasurable reassurance to residents.

"This symbolic gesture will help to remind people that the police take their safety seriously and are there to provide help when it is needed."

The installation of the blue lamps is part of a nationwide drive to return to traditional policing.

Once seen outside every police station, the lamps became a symbol of law and order and helped people easily identify them.

The original Mercia lantern first appeared outside London police stations in 1861, and was selected because blue was a neutral colour associated with a place of safe refuge and help. It also matched the colour of police uniforms, and was distinct from the red of the military.