Last Update: 28 October 2021
Janet Knott, who lived in Croydon, passed away on February 7, at the age of 77. She was born in Exeter, she was the eldest daughter of Phyllis and Arthur Knott. She was England’s first woman motorcycle cop in the country to ride a motorcycle. Her life was celebrated on 3 March with a special funeral procession.
Sally Hubbard, who served in the force with her, said: “She was popular and held in high regard by her officers who recommended her for a commendation for the manner in which she supported and encouraged them.”
She Surprised Motorists When taking off Her Helmet Revealing They’d Been Stopped for Speeding By A Woman.
After leaving school, Ms. Knott trained as a teacher, but changed her mind in 1959, travelling to London and joining the Metropolitan Police. She worked in the West End as a WPC – Woman Police Constable – followed by various stations south of the river, including Brixton and Carter Street. Promoted to sergeant she moved to London’s east end, working at Commercial Road and Lemon Street police stations.
In 1973 police women were integrated with their male colleagues and Ms. Knott returned to Brixton as an inspector, supervising both male and female officers on shifts.
Always one for a challenge, Knott joined the traffic division and after a rigorous training course at Hendon, became the first woman in the country to ride a police motorcycle. Stationed at Beckenham as an inspector, she supervised her male colleagues and surprised many motorists and motorcyclists, when taking off her helmet to reveal that they had been stopped for speeding by a woman.
Janet Knott, England’s first woman motorcycle cop, her cortege will be escorted by three police motorcyclists and a guard of honour of officers. Together with over 80 colleagues and friends it will be a fitting farewell to a pioneer who led the way for women to join the once all-male bastion of the Metropolitan Police Traffic Division.
Rest in Peace Janet Knott. ♥
*source newswire/UK
1 comment
Thank you for the memorium on Police Constable Janet Knott, England’s first female motorcycle officer. I much appreciate the history and the respect toward the pioneers in women’s motorcycling.