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Yard could open doors of gruesome 'Black Museum'
Jack Lefley06.05.09
Scotland Yard could be about to let the public visit its "Black Museum" which catalogues artefacts from the capital's most gruesome crimes.
It holds objects from the Jack the Ripper and Dr Crippen inquiries along with other exhibits collected over the generations.
Police have been allowed to see the relics but public decency has prevented their wider access.
However, Boris Johnson is backing a plan to turn some of the contents into a museum to celebrate London's emergency services. Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority Brian Coleman is working with the Mayor on the plan for the new tourist attraction.
He said: "The police are quite jealous of some of the information they are allowed access to.
"And to be quite truthful, some of the items are just too gruesome for members of the public - but if we had a Black Museum, we would have tourists queuing around the corner."
Reader views (10)
I visited the museum in the 1980s. The recollection of, amongst other items, Denis Nilsen's gas stove, replete with a layer then still fresh, yellow human fat, and the tattered tunic in which PC Kieth Blakelock had also not long ago been slaughtered, still stir uncomfortable memories. Whilst I appreciate that a fascination with the macabre is part of the human condition, I am not at all convinced that these artefacts should be put onto public display. There is little enough dignity for the victims of these wretched crimes without their remnants being made into some sort of spectacle of the grotesque.
- Toby Webster, Ongar, England
Kelly may well be joking, however its name was officially changed under the last commissioner to the "Crime Museum". for fear of offending anyone.
- Gary, London
Does the new Commissioner feature in there.
- Rosie, watford
Jackboot Jacqui Spliff would be a good Black Museum curator after she is ousted from Parliament at the next election. That's assuming they aren't looking for a new dictator in Romania or somewhere.
- Lickyalips, Richmond, Surrey
I wonder if I could sue them, it sounds a bit racist to me.
- Kelly, London
I'm with Martin H because I, too, am completely normal, but have always had a fascination with such things. (in another life, both my sister and I would be forensic scientists!!) And we would both be extremely interested in visiting the museum. And would also be more than happy to pay to help get some more police on the streets.
- Louise C, Reading, Berks
I'd go and see it.
- Dom, London
Brilliant idea, i have always wanted to go there,
- Jajacjon, london
I'm totally normal, but since childhood it has fascinated me. I'd pay to go, and that would help get a few more PCs on the street.
- Martin H. Watson, Teddington
I think that is a great idea; as a kid I loved reading about real crime; Fabian of the yard etc; in those days crime did not pay; well ok its just a saying.
But I still think its a great idea; I know I would go and see it.
- Mickyinlondon, london
