Edith Smith was a pioneering police officer in Grantham, serving from 1915 to 1918 and opening paths for thousands of future female officers. Amidst a male-dominated society where women lacked the right to vote, Edith made history as the first female police officer with the authority to arrest.
Born in the vicinity of Birkenhead in 1876, Smith relocated to London following the sudden death of her husband. She pursued a nursing career before specialising as a midwife. In 1914, Smith joined the Women Police Volunteers arriving at Belton Park, near Grantham. Here she confronted pressing concerns such as prostitution during World War One.
Organiser of Grantham tours spotlighting Edith’s accomplishments, Lyn Bacon, asserts that her primary success lay in preventive enforcement. By proactively addressing societal problems, Smith was able to reduce arrest rates. She became an advocate for public health, guiding on living circumstances and taking measures to prevent sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancies.
A plaque in remembrance of Edith Smith adorns the walls of the erstwhile police station in Grantham. Post relinquishing her position owing to health complications, Smith took over as the matron of the Lindis Nursing Home in Grantham. However, she was later requested to resign. Smith’s life ended tragically in suicide in 1924.
Expressing her gratitude for Smith’s groundbreaking initiative, Kerrin Wilson, the former assistant chief constable of Lincolnshire Police, acknowledged how her efforts revolutionised policing for future generations. Smith’s legacy continues to be upheld and celebrated, both in Grantham and worldwide.
Sources: This story was adapted from original reporting from the BBC.
