Police figures have revealed the number of racist hate crimes taking place across the borough has dropped over the last year.

Simon Ovens, Harrow borough commander, says Metropolitan Police recorded an increase of 18 per cent in hate crime and a 10 per cent rise in Islamophobic crime in the last 12 months across the whole of London.

But Harrow was the only borough that saw a drop of seven per cent in racist hate crimes and a decrease of 25 per cent in Islamophobic crimes.

Mr Ovens says he is “very proud” of his officers, particularly as there were 275 racist hate crimes the year before in Harrow.

He said: “I am so very proud of my officers, so very grateful to the community and council and hugely pleased to see crime driven down in our wonderful Borough.

“Harrow is the only Borough in London to have recorded reductions across each hate crime type.

“These figures are the culmination of four years hard work between the Police and the communities of Harrow. Time and time again at times of trouble the religious leaders of this Borough come together and stand together. They take time to understand each other’s point of view and jointly work, day in day out, for peace in or Borough.”

Mr Ovens added: “It is through their openness and willingness to engage that Harrow is such a harmonious community. I am also hugely moved by their frequent messages of goodwill and reassurance of their confidence in their local police.

“This is supported by the wonderful work of my officers, who consistently go the extra mile to prevent crime, stop trouble and bring offenders to justice.

“Our partnership with the Local Council, at both a member and officer level, is second to none and this incredibly positive working relationship constantly pays dividends in driving down crime.

“Month in month out, and again this month, Harrow has the lowest recorded crime per 1000 population in the whole of London, making us the safest Borough in London.”