Former Portsmouth police commander Maggie Blyth returns to Hampshire as assistant chief constable

A FORMER commander of police in Portsmouth is set to return to Hampshire as an assistant chief constable.
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Maggie Blyth was district commander between January 2018 and January 2019, having joined Hampshire police as direct-entry superintendent recruit in November 2016.

During the period before her appointment in the city she underwent rigorous tests through the College of Policing's 18-month training course, having come from working in child protection and youth justice.

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In May last year it was confirmed the senior officer had been appointed as an assistant chief constable at Wiltshire police, later making headlines after saying she had made 15 arrests in her police career.

Maggie Blyth, pictured as a superintendent while district commander for Portsmouth. Picture:  Malcolm Wells (180320-8651)Maggie Blyth, pictured as a superintendent while district commander for Portsmouth. Picture:  Malcolm Wells (180320-8651)
Maggie Blyth, pictured as a superintendent while district commander for Portsmouth. Picture: Malcolm Wells (180320-8651)

Back in Hampshire she will now lead the force on local policing and public protection – leading neighbourhood teams and officers who monitor violent offenders and sex offenders.

Her appointment comes after ACC Dave Hardcastle, who oversaw the D-Day 75 policing operation, has retired.

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She said: ‘I am delighted to be returning to Hampshire as an assistant chief constable.

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‘I started my career with the force and am looking forward to working again with some fantastic colleagues – both officers and staff – across the county.

‘Community policing and public protection is at the core of what we do in policing, and I am proud to be appointed in Hampshire, where tackling high harm crime and looking after the most vulnerable is important.

‘Reducing harm in communities and reducing high risk has been a top priority throughout my career.’

In Wiltshire she was responsible for local policing and operations.

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In a statement, chief constable Olivia Pinkney said she had an ‘excellent understanding of our force’ and added: ‘Having worked with Maggie, I know her exceptional leadership skills, partnership and vulnerability background will be a great benefit to the force.’

ACC Blyth, who prior to joining the police had 30 years of experience in child protection, has previously been chair of several safeguarding children boards, including in Hampshire.

Her experienced has included leading a child sexual exploitation inquiry into the abuse of more than 300 children in Oxford, being a member of the parole board and working in government on the Youth Justice Board.

The College of Policing helps forces recruit direct-entry inspectors and superintendents. Forces can recruit direct-entry detectives.

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Hampshire has advertised the scheme this year, with a candidates’ assessment due to be held next month.

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