New Scotland Yard chief named

Bernard Hogan-Howe vowed to put the fear into the capital's criminals tonight as he won the race to become Britain's top police officer.

The former Merseyside chief constable was named as the new Scotland Yard Commissioner after pledging to oversee a "new, more transparent era for the Met".

Flanked by the Home Secretary and London Mayor Boris Johnson at Scotland Yard, Mr Hogan-Howe told reporters: "It's the highest accolade that any police officer could have."

Outlining his targets, he added: "The idea is to make the criminals fear the police and what they are doing now."

The Mayor said: "It was a very strong field today, but I think the Home Secretary and I were agreed that Bernard's performance was outstanding, and he really commended himself above all by his relentless focus on building on the work of Sir Paul Stephenson and Tim Godwin in driving down crime.

"The Home Secretary has alluded to what happened in Merseyside where crime came down by 40% in three years and I know it's that kind of approach that Londoners will want to see, and that Londoners will want to give their full support to achieving.

"And I'm sure that we at City Hall, everybody in the city, will wish Bernard very well indeed."

Mr Hogan-Howe said: "Home Secretary, Mayor, ladies and gentlemen, just to say first of all, thank you for the great honour that I have received in being selected as the Metropolitan Police Commissioner.

"Professionally, it's the highest accolade that any police officer could have.

"Secondly, I'd like to pay tribute to my predecessor Sir Paul Stephenson and the achievements that he made in his time here, including in reducing crime.

"I also want to pay tribute to the other people who applied for this job, particularly to Tim Godwin, who over the last year has helped to keep the Metropolitan Police in a really clear and focused place.

"And finally, just to say a few words to the people of London, which is that I intend to lead the Met so that it makes criminals fear, that it keeps the trust of the public of London in the Metropolitan Police, and finally the Metropolitan Police that the Metropolitan Police officers and staff are proud of."

PA