Women of the Watch: How London’s First Female Police Officers Fought Their Way Into the Force

2025-11-18

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In this next chapter of our Crime & Punishment in the Capital City series, we explore a story often overlooked in the darker corners of London’s past: the long and brutal fight for women to earn their place in the Metropolitan Police.From early moral guardians to undercover operatives, and eventually, fully empowered officers, the women who patrolled London’s streets faced resistance at every turn. Their uniforms were criticised, their authority questioned, and more than once their very existence within the force was nearly erased. But they fought bac...

In this next chapter of our Crime & Punishment in the Capital City series, we explore a story often overlooked in the darker corners of London’s past: the long and brutal fight for women to earn their place in the Metropolitan Police.

From early moral guardians to undercover operatives, and eventually, fully empowered officers, the women who patrolled London’s streets faced resistance at every turn. Their uniforms were criticised, their authority questioned, and more than once their very existence within the force was nearly erased. But they fought back—quietly, strategically, and with unwavering resolve.

In this episode, we uncover the scandals, political battles, and public panics that shaped the rise of female policing up to the present day. We’ll meet the pioneers who walked these fog-shrouded streets long before society believed they should, and discover how their work changed crime-fighting in the capital forever.

Perfect for fans of dark history, untold stories, social history, women’s rights history, London lore, and true crime documentaries.

Please check out our sponsor - London Nootropics at www.londonnootropics.com and use the discount code MACABRE at checkout to receive 20% off any order.

Todays episode is sponsored by Jeff Wayne's The War Of The Worlds The Immersive Experience - www.waroftheworldsimmersive.com - to get your special discount code of £10 off any two or more tickets purchased. Use the code: MACABRE10

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If you love British true crime, unsolved mysteries, and historical murders, don’t miss this episode!

Also available wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/macabrelondon

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Be sure to check out my other podcast, Killers, Cults & Queens https://podfollow.com/queens

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