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The Women Police Service

The Women Police Service (WPS) was founded in 1914 by Nina Boyle from the Women's Freedom League, and musician and philanthropist Margaret Damer Dawson. By 1915 trained Women Police volunteer constables and officers were in uniform on the streets of towns and cities across the UK, patrolling outside munitions factories, railway stations and YMCA huts, and taking a special interest in the law affecting women and children. The Chief Commissioner of Police disliked the WPS recruits, and refused to make them a permanent part of the police force, despite their experience. After the war the WPS continued as a voluntary service, becoming the Women's Auxiliary Service in 1920.
Title

A Female Police Patrol Outside Euston Station

Date

1918

Catalogue number

IWM (Q31089)