A former soldier with a passion for boxing has been appointed boss of Merton police.

Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Williams took over the reigns last week and has replaced Dick Wolfenden, who is due to retire from the force later this year.

The former deputy borough commander of Bexley Police has served for 24 years as a police officer and has led the Met’s Pan-London crime squad and as a lead for public protection/hate crime.

Having previously served in the Army, Det Ch Supt Williams raises money for the families of servicemen and, later this year, will step into the ring against two-time world heavyweight boxing champion Tim Witherspoon in a charity bout.

Det Ch Supt Williams said: "I am extremely proud to take over as the Merton Borough Commander.

"I’ve had the privilege of working with and leading a variety of teams across the Met and I am looking forward to leading Merton Borough.

“It is really important to me that the public see us as ‘their’ police, and I will be taking every opportunity I can to meet with and chat with local people to find out how we are getting on, what we do well and what we could do better".

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