Bell won the World Judo Championships in 1986 and 1987, and the European Championships in 1984, 1986 and 1988. Bell is Britain's most successful judoka at the European Judo Championships. In total, she has won 3 gold medals, 3 silver medals and 5 bronze medals. In 1986, she won the 56–61 kg event at the 1986 Commonwealth Games; the event was a demonstration sport.