Local campaigner Poppy Murray was named Runner-Up in the “Making Safer Spaces” category at this year’s National Police Chiefs’ Council Awards for her contribution to tackling violence against women and girls.
Miss Murray was nominated by Guernsey Police former-Deputy Chief Officer Ian Scholes for her ongoing efforts to create safer public spaces through her BE LADS Campaign and SafetyNet Guernsey. Of 170 nominations, Miss Murray was the only Channel Islander to be nominated, and one of just two civilians to be recognised.
In his nomination – which was read in full to attendees at last week’s Recognition Event held in London – Mr Scholes commented: “Over the last three years, Poppy has delivered training to a broad spectrum of public and private sector organisations, including to UK and international police forces and policing bodies, in schools and to politicians.
“I have worked closely with Poppy on our strategy, and she has been a strong advocate of the work we are doing and has the ear of the media. She is both respectfully challenging and supportive in her approach and I have learned much from my work with her which has been invaluable to me and the organisation.
“Poppy runs the campaign and charity in her own time, outside of working a full-time job, and has always been willing to make time to support our efforts and that of other forces. She has raised the profile of the issue of male violence against women and girls hugely. It is impressive that she has been able to reach out nationally to large organisations including UK police forces, Chelsea Football Club, the Royal British Legion and City of London Crime Prevention Association and continues to make important contacts across the UK.”
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) award marked a year of ongoing recognition for Miss Murray, who was also selected as a UN Women UK Delegate at the United Nations’ 68th Commission on the Status of Women earlier this year, has been nominated as an ‘Outstanding Grassroots Campaigner’ in the 2024 UN Women UK Awards, and nominated as a ‘Bailiwick Community Hero’ in this year’s Pride of Guernsey awards.
The NPCC Recognition Event welcomed representatives from police forces across the UK, with MP Jessica Phillips – current Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Home Office – delivering the keynote speech.
Miss Murray said: “Placing as Runner Up in these prestigious awards was an incredible honour, and it was a privilege to gain a glimpse into a side of policing that the public rarely gets to see. MP Phillips gave a hugely inspiring speech recognising achievements in policing to date, but also delivered a firm message that “progress has been too slow” in combatting violence against women and girls (VAWG), which I whole-heartedly agree with.
“I am extremely grateful to Ian for nominating me and for being a strong advocate for tackling VAWG when he held the position of Deputy Chief Officer; I hope that momentum will continue to build. I am proud to have represented the Channel Islands and hope that I will be just the first of many. We can, and should, be doing much more to protect women and girls and to ensure we do not fall behind the progress being made by other police forces and communities outside the
Bailiwick.”
Pictured: Left to right – DCC Maggie Blyth, Poppy Murray, MP Jess Phillips
