The women’s arm of the Democratic Labour Party has welcomed the appointment of Deputy Commissioner Sonia Boyce as the next Commissioner of Police, describing the historic move as an important opportunity to strengthen trust between the police and the public while advancing issues affecting women.

Democratic League of Women (DLW) president Amoy Gilding-Bourne said the appointment, due to take effect on Friday, marked “a welcomed and most important step in the right direction”.

She said: “When I heard that Ms Boyce was appointed as the new commissioner, I said to myself, yes.”