As Ch Supt Stringer is on a well deserved holiday this gives me an opportunity to introduce myself as the Deputy Borough Commander with responsibility for Operations and Neighbourhood policing.

I have just spent two interesting years working with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and was the Deputy Borough Commander in Haringey for three years before that. I am extremely pleased to be working with you and look forward to getting to know my staff, communities, and partners over the next few weeks and months.

My start on the borough has been a busy one with some great work happening and I can start with some good news in that we continue to see crime falling - particularly in regard to burglary and robbery.

There have been a number of operations taking place. One - on the 23, September saw officers visit a venue on Mile End Road as ongoing concerns from local residents indicated the area was being used for the supply of cannabis. Officers completed a thorough drug and weapons search of the yard, recovering a knife, a broken pool cue, and cannabis thought to be in the region of £500.

Officers returned to the yard the next day and again recovered another quantity of loose cannabis. We are now working with our crime scene examiners to make sure that we make the best use of any forensic evidence to trace and prosecute the offenders.

I would like to send my congratulations to 17 of our cadets who were awarded the Duke of Edinburgh silver award the weekend before last, completing outdoor activities in the New Forest . Well done to all. I know that the team was really grateful for the help and support of their cadet leaders.

Last week Ch Supt Stringer opened a Junior Cadet Scheme at the East London Mosque. It’s really good to see how many local young people are so keen to be a part of the police service.

We had a delegation from Norway visiting the borough last week to find out how we deal with youth crime and domestic abuse. It’s great for the borough to be recognised for our good work in these areas and also gives officers the opportunity to talk through different ideas with colleagues from other countries.

Once again I look forward to working with you all in the future.