Can You Help? - Dalek found in East Dulwich 1973

[RichardB]

I wonder if anyone can help with some information?

I'm doing some research for a feature that's going to be going on one of the BBC's DVDs of the classic Doctor Who series, looking at the links between the series and the other long-standing series, Blue Peter.

Back in June 1973, two Daleks were stolen from outside BBC Television Centre and their disappearance was publicised on Blue Peter that week. The next day, the two Daleks were recovered with help from viewers - one turning up in Ealing and the other in East Dulwich. The following Monday, Blue Peter did another report about their recovery which included Peter Purves interviewing one police constable Forward from the East Dulwich station. I've been asked to see if we could trace PC Forward in the hope that we can do a quick interview with him, but it's difficult tracing people when you don't know their first name!

Can anyone tell me if there was a local newspaper that specifically served the East Dulwich area back in 1973 as I'm hoping that the story may have been carried in the newspaper in greater depth than the brief pieces that appeared in the nationals? If so, is their any local history centres or archives that might carry copies?

Alternatively, if anyone knew or indeed still knows the Forward family (assuming they lived in the area), then do let me know!

Richard

[HAL9000]

Can't you just borrow the Tardis?

[SimonM]

The "South London Press" was bound to have covered it.

[PeckhamRose]

God how fascinating!

[plimsoul]

i'm sure you've done already this...

but i'd but go to south london metropolitan police press office and ask for help. they'll either have a list of retired or working officers. they should then be able to put you in touch with some network of retired officers or tell you if he's still working.

it's a great story, who nicked it i wonder...

[RichardB]

The producer of this particular feature has contacted the police pensions department, who are trying to provide some help, but they are a bit...slow! :)

The Dalek was actually found some three hours after the original alert on Blue Peter. Mr Hardy of Champion Hill had come out of his house to find an extra shape under the tarpaulin that was covering his sports car. No guesses as to what it was!

I'll certainly check in to see if the South London Press covered the story, so thanks for that.

Richard

[Sherwick]

if I had checked an extra shape under my tarpaulin and found a dalek, I'd probably have had a heart attack!

[Dr De Soto]

Dalek found in East Dulwich

[Sue]

Crikey, the original post is from 2009!

That video shows the ED police station being in Crystal Palace Road (on the corner of Upland Road).

I didn't think that building had ever been a police station, though it had some connection with the police?

Is anyone on here who was living in ED in 1973 and can confirm one way or the other?

 

Edited March 31, 2025 by Sue

[Jenijenjen]

Here's a section from the 1916 OS map showing the building on the corner of Upland Road and Crystal Palace Road as a police station. I'm guessing it remained a fully operational police station until the opening of the purpose built police station in Lordship Lane

And an extract from a map dated 1969

 

[MsDulwich]

The Police Station was on the corner of Crystal Palace Road and the horses were kept out the back.

My Great Grandmother and Great Grandfather owned a nearby Barber shop. The police men would visit the barber shop often and get their beards shaved.

My grand mother and her sister, who were growing up in the family home, would have to lather the policemens chins, much to their amusement as they giggled away.

 

 

[Sue]

That's interesting!

When I moved here in 1991 (I think!) there were police horses at the back of the police station when it was  in Lordship Lane.

I don't know if the entrance to the stables was in Whateley Road, but the horses used to be ridden around that area, presumably for exercise.

A friend of mine who was visiting from outside London was very disconcerted to see a mounted police person riding down the road. She thought it meant I lived in a really dangerous area 🤣

[Jenijenjen]

You could always hear the horses late Saturday afternoons returning from policing the Millwall games

[se22]

They used to allow local residents to collect horse manure for their gardens. There was plenty of it.

[IlonaM]

We had a couple of surprise visitors on Underhill this morning - arrived in their horse box and went for a patrol before returning.

[Kipper_1972]

This thread is so much more pleasant than the usual.... Thankyou Thankyou

[Spartacus]

Maybe the lost and damaged Daleks explain why the new season of Doctor Who won't see a return of old enemies including the Master, Derek's or Cybermen 🫣