UKTV Renews Women on the Force

UKTV, on the heels of the success of W’s original series The Shift: Women on the Force, has recommissioned Women on the Force.

The docuseries offers a glimpse into the North Yorkshire Police and the reality that the women on the force face in their working lives and how that balances with their lives out of uniform. The force is headed up by the charismatic Chief Constable Lisa Winward, who oversees a team of 1,505 police officers, 99 special constables, 237 PCSOs and 1,049 police staff who together cover an area of 3,208 square miles.

Women on the Force is co-produced by Lambent Productions and Harbar 8.

Chief Constable Lisa Winward said: “It’s vital that the stereotypes of policing in times past become a dim and distant memory. Policing requires many skills that can only be brought to the service by an inclusive and diverse workforce. We’re proud to have a high proportion of woman in senior roles at North Yorkshire Police, but there is more to be done to encourage the next generation of women into policing and ensure we are truly representative of the people we serve.”

Helen Nightingale, senior commissioning editor at UKTV, said: “The first series focussed on the day in the life of a shift now we’re broadening that out as there are so many great stories to be told. I am so grateful to the police officers and staff who let us shine a light on their incredible work and how they carefully balance their home lives with the demands of being in the force. The teams at Lambent and Harbar 8 have created a real gem of a series and I am so excited to be able to spotlight the women of North Yorkshire Police.”

Adam Collings, channel director at UKTV, said: “The first series was such a treat for us on W so I am pleased we are getting to bring it back and this time welcome North Yorkshire Police to our screens. Women on the Force perfectly complements our long-running hit Inside the Ambulance so I am looking forward to building the series and highlighting the fantastic work of women in the police force.”

Ollie Tait, executive producer for Lambent Productions, said: “Series one was a joy to make—we were not only invited to capture the work of women on the force, but invited into their homes to meet the real people behind the uniform. We loved that it resonated so strongly with W viewers and we’re delighted to be returning for a second series.”

Dan Clark-Neal, executive producer for Harbar 8, added: “It’s a real privilege to be making this series within North Yorkshire Police and I’m delighted that the women have again trusted us to take the W viewer into their homes so that they can see behind the uniform and get to know them as a wife, partner, mother, daughter or sister too—something which made series one so special.”