BE LADS founder runner-up in national police awards
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’s former deputy chief officer Ian Scholes for her efforts to create safer public spaces through the 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.
Mr Scholes said that over the last three years Miss Murray had delivered training to a broad spectrum of public and private sector organisations, including UK and international police forces.
‘I have worked closely with Poppy on our strategy, and she has been a strong advocate of the work we are doing,’ he said in his nomination speech.
‘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 hugely.'
He said he had been impressed that she had been able to work with a diverse range of organisations from the City of London Crime Prevention Association to Chelsea Football Club.
The NPCC Event welcomed representatives from police forces across the UK, with MP Jessica Phillips – Home Office minister with responsibility for safeguarding for women and girls – delivering the keynote speech.
The 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, 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.
‘Placing as runner-up in these prestigious awards was an incredible honour,’ said Miss Murray. ‘I am extremely grateful to Ian for nominating me and for being a strong advocate for tackling violence against women and girls I hope that momentum will continue to build.
‘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.’
