The new High Sheriff of Merseyside, Hazel Snell DL, has pledged to use her ceremonial role to highlight work within Merseyside aimed at tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
- 18,369 domestic-abuse related crimes were recorded in Merseyside in the period April – December 2025.
- A 2024 survey by Merseyside Police found 71% of women fear sexual assault and 69% would not report to police.
- Progress has been made as part of Merseyside’s VAWG Delivery Plan including in education, investment, safer streets, and trauma-informed training.
The Office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal appointment for a single year. The High Sheriff will actively lend support and encouragement to the judiciary (Liverpool Crown Court judges and magistrates), Merseyside Police, the emergency services and to the voluntary & community sector.
His Honour Judge Andrew Menary KC DL, Resident Judge and Honorary Recorder of Liverpool said:
“The judges of the courts in Liverpool warmly welcome the appointment of the new High Sheriff of Merseyside. The office of High Sheriff has a long and distinguished association with the administration of justice, and we greatly value the support it brings to the work of the courts and to the wider justice system. We look forward to working with Hazel over the coming year and wish her every success during her term of office.”
Hazel, who works for Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and is non-executive Chair of Merseyside charity, Local Solutions, said:
“Merseyside faces the same unacceptable issues around violence against women and girls as many other regions. As a woman and mother I feel compelled to focus my effort on that challenge, and highlight the work being done in the county to address these issues head on. I hope to use this opportunity to accelerate efforts that improve safety, strengthen services, and increase confidence among women and girls across Merseyside to thrive in all aspects of life.”
Commissioned as a Deputy Lieutenant (DL) of Merseyside in 2023, Hazel will be installed as High Sheriff on 17th April, taking over from Billy Hui BEM, DL. She will be supported in the role by her consort, Andy Snell and chaplain, Buddy Owen.
Emily Spurrell, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner welcomed the appointment. She said:
“I’m delighted to welcome the incoming High Sheriff to her new role and I’m grateful that she has chosen to make tackling violence against women and girls a priority for her year of office. Her commitment sends a powerful message about the importance of standing together to confront this issue.
“I look forward to working closely with the High Sheriff to amplify the work already happening across Merseyside, from prevention programmes in schools to support services for those affected, and to ensure every woman and girl in our region can live their life free from fear, harm or inequality.”
Hazel Snell DL:
Originally from Northern Ireland, Hazel started her career building cross-community partnerships and has since developed experience in the public, private, and voluntary sectors in Merseyside. She holds a BSc (Hons) in European Regional Development from Ulster University and a MBA from the University of Liverpool. She moved to Liverpool to work on the Merseyside Objective One programme in Government Office North West and later worked for St Helens Chamber and Liverpool City Council. She has worked at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine since 2008 in a range of roles, currently as Head of Faculty Operations for Clinical Sciences and International Public Health. She is Non-Executive Director and Chairperson of Local Solutions, which focuses on people experiencing exclusion, homelessness, domestic abuse and social isolation. In 2023, Hazel became a Deputy Lieutenant for Merseyside, supporting the Lieutenancy to promote the King’s Awards for Voluntary Service, Enterprise, personal honours, and citizenship.
Contact details: Hazel.snell@lstmed.ac.uk
