The new face of policing in Merton has pledged to make the borough even safer for residents.

Chief superintendent Stuart Macleod is getting to grips with the role of borough commander after taking over the substantial reins from suspended former top cop Darren Williams.

He said: "It is a very safe borough and my aspiration is to make it safer still by reducing crime.

"My style is not to come in and change things.

"Confidence and satisfaction in local policing are very important to me. "These are areas I will be looking at to ensure we are providing a good service."

Chief Supt Macleod, who started on March 11, began his career as a police constable in Harlesden in 1983 before later working in areas including Marylebone, Barnet and Camden.

In 1987 he decided he had had enough of policing and left to work for five years in the furniture industry.

But the lure of the force was too much and he rejoined the police in 1992.

He said: "I wanted to do different things.

"I joined the Met after university but I missed it when I left."

He joins just over six months after changes to the policing model in the borough saw a number of stations close their doors to the public, or reduce the hours they would be open.

He insisted Wimbledon, the only station still open 24 hours a day, would remain as such.

Chief Supt Macleod said: "There are no plans to get rid of Wimbledon police station as far as I am aware."

He also insisted they would not be re-opening the police base in Pincott Road, South Wimbledon, after a campaign recently by residents and councillors.

Most recently Chief Supt Macleod was working in the Met Change Pan London Design project looking at ways to deliver services in the capital in a better way.

The father-of-three who lives in Raynes Park, has held high profile roles in counter terrorism and covert policing and intelligence in New Scotland Yard.

TODAY'S TOP STORIES

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK