Detective Inspector Lilan Wyles , London's first woman detective , went to Scotland Yard for the last time . She is retiring after 30 years service . Aged 64 , and born in Bourne , Lincs , she joined the Women's Police Patrol in 1919 and became a regular police officer in 1923 . She worked on the Vera Page murder in 1931 and the Winchmore Hill murder of PC Edgar in 1948 . seen here being wished all the best by her chief , Commander H Young at Scotland Yard , London , England . 16 February 1949