Fire was always a threat. The Churchwarden's fire engine was of little use and the Provincial Insurance Co. fire brigade only looked after its customers. In 1863 the townspeople set up the Prince of Wales Volunteer Fire Brigade. When their late arrival at a fire near the Beast Market in 1895 led to criticism, the volunteers all resigned.

The Borough Council formed its own fire brigade based at the Guildhall. By 1915 the town had professional firemen and a motorised fire engine called "Maud Elsie". It was the start of the modern fire service.

Wrexham had its first proper police force in 1840 - a superintendent and four constables. They were not popular in the town as many townspeople felt they were ineffective. The Justices of the Peace nearly disbanded the police in 1844. However, the force survived and rose to the challenge. A new Bridewell at Tenters Field in 1849 and a new police station here at County Buildings in 1879 helped make the police effective and respected.

Protester, Wrexham, 1848: "Our police can neither catch a thief nor keep him when they do. Of bone and muscle, fat and big stick, there is more than enough, but what is wanted is not so much guts as brains and these they have not got. They cost £1000 a year and their inadequacy must be apparent to everyone."

Part 9