Museum celebrates 90 years of female officers

Grantham Museum recently held a celebration in honour of Edith Smith, the first female police officer in Britain.

Edith Smith, who is said to still be held in high regard in Grantham and has a road named after her, served as the first female police officer in the UK to have full powers of arrest in the First World War. Her principle role was to police prostitutes attracted by the 14,000 soldiers billeted to the area.

Smith left the service in 1918 and later died of an overdose. Records show the duties she performed included working seven days a week for two years.

The museum includes a display in honour of PC Smith.