Funding for the box's upkeep lapsed between 2000-2005 and it fell into some disrepair. The MetropolitanPolice has since taken up the costs again, recognising its role as a community icon.
Opened in 1996, police box is based on the Mackenzie Trench design familiar to Londoners during the 1960s. It was equipped with CCTV cameras and a telephone to contact the police.
This police box was introduced as part of a ‘high tech’ revival of the system in 1996 that never took off and is therefore the only remaining box in London.
I swear this wasn't here yesterday. Now people are saying it has been here since 1996, even though there are no others... The chameleon circuit my be broken but the perception filter certainly is.