Hampshire DCC Maggie Blyth has been appointed as the National Police Lead for Violence Against Women and Girls, to coordinate police action across England and Wales.

The new role is a full-time one and will be funded directly by the Home Office and NPCC. She will start on 11 October.

According to the NPCC she will work closely with other relevant policing portfolio leads including those for domestic abuse, rape and sexual offences and stalking and the College of Policing.

The appointment follows a recommendation made by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Constabulary Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) for such a role.  A major part of DCC Blyth’s role will be to “ensure that recommendations from the Inspectorate are implemented” the NPCC says.

DCC Blyth will also be responsible for agreeing and delivering a new police strategy that will focus on interventions to prevent violence, target perpetrators and help victims achieve justice.

DCC Blyth has specialised in public protection roles in her 30-year career which started in the Probation Service and went on to specialise in youth justice.

She was also one of the first direct-entry superintendents in UK policing. 

She was responsible for setting up the first youth offending team arrangements in 1998 and took a leadership role at the Youth Justice Board for England Wales in 2000 – 2005.

She worked for local government child protection services from 2006-2016. She had senior oversight of child protection arrangements and worked on high profile child sexual exploitation and domestic homicide operations. During this time, she was a Member of the Parole Board for England and Wales, where she advised on the release of the most serious and persistent criminals.

She joined Hampshire Constabulary as a Superintendent in 2016, becoming Portsmouth City’s Commander. She was promoted to Assistant Chief Constable in May 2019, her current portfolio is local policing and public protection across Hampshire.

DCC Blyth said after her appointment to the new role: “Everyone has the right to feel safe, wherever they are, but as a mother, daughter, and sister I know this often isn’t the reality for women and girls. I have such admiration for those who have been working so tirelessly for so long to change that. I look forward to working in partnership with you as this form of violence is deep rooted. It cannot be solved by policing alone - together we can bring real change to the daily lives of women and girls.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “A fundamental part of our Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls strategy is ensuring the police have the powers and resources they need to support victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth will bring together the incredible work of police officers around the country and help drive real and lasting change as we work to stamp out these abhorrent crimes.”