THE Essex Police Museum has had a record-breaking number of visitors this past financial year, attracting 12,851 people.

THE Essex Police Museum has had a record-breaking number of visitors this past financial year, attracting 12,851 people.

Museum curator, Becky Wash said: "The public response has been amazing. We've continued to improve our displays throughout the year and the children's holiday events are more successful than ever."

This time last year the museum had 8140 visitors per financial year.

The museum is open to the public every Wednesday from 1pm to 4.30pm. It also holds craft events during the school holidays for young people.

Throughout the year the museum, its curator and volunteers hold educational sessions where school pupils come and visit the museum as part of a school trip.

The museum also holds an open day each year where the public can meet the people who make up Essex Police.

Mrs Wash said: "The museum is a great resource for Essex Police and members of the public. It holds objects and archival material relating to the history of the force from 1840 including personnel and other records, together with more general documents and a large photographic collection.

"The museum is a good way to introduce young people to Essex Police and provide members of the public with interesting local history from Essex."

More information about the museum and a list of the museum's summer events can be found on the museum's website essex.police.uk/museum

To carry on the success, a new travelling exhibition about the history of the force, is making its way across the county.

The exhibition is available to book for events and libraries near you, please contact Becky Wash on 01245 457 150 or email museum@essex.pnn.police.uk for further details.