Grantham Chief Inspector Phil Vickers attended a special ceremony at the town police station yesterday (Tues) where a conference room was dedicated to Edith Smith, Britain's first warranted police woman.

Chief Inspector Vickers said: "Edith was a pioneer in policing, and we are immensely proud that she served the people of Grantham as the first woman in Britain with warranted Power of Arrest.

"Edith is already recognised by the local community with a Blue Plaque in the centre of Grantham and it is important that as officers we remember her contribution, her resilience and commitment as part of modern day policing in Lincolnshire.

"A framed photo of Edith is hung in reception at our Force Headquarters Nettleham, and to now have a room dedicated to her, in the community she served, is a fitting tribute to a remarkable woman."

Assistant Chief Constable for Lincolnshire Police Kerrin Wilson said: "We are immensely proud that such an important figure in the history of policing served right here with us in Lincolnshire.

"This amazing woman was very much a trailblazer for all who came after her and her efforts very much paved the way for the female officers of today.

"We are absolutely honoured dedicate this room to Edith's legacy which will ensure that she is now rightly remembered for generations to come."

Dee Collins, Chief Constable at West Yorkshire Police, NPCC Gender lead and President of the British Association of Women in Policing, had the honour of dedicating the room.

She said: "It is a great honour to dedicate this room to a remarkable woman who has changed the history of policing for women."

Courtney Finn, Chairman of the Grantham Civic Society, also attended the ceremony. He kindly provided information and image for Grantham Nub News' article yesterday about the dedication.

Mr Finn, who has created a booklet on Edith Smith's life, said: "This unique lady, described as a woman of outstanding personality, fearless, motherly and adaptable, deserves recognition.

"I am proud and honoured to have been invited to this dedication ceremony and for Edith's legacy to live on."