Police claim Harrow has been the safest borough in London for five of the last six months.

The figures were announced by police borough commander Chief Superintendent Simon Ovens at Harrow Borough Council’s Community Champion’s conference last night.

Chief Supt Ovens’ announcement was met with a round of applause from the 200 people at the event, which launched the new scheme to replace Neighbourhood Champions.

The senior officer thanked his officers and the audience for their help in lowering crime rates, saying it was only possible with the community and other organisations "pulling together".

The police commander, along with London Fire Brigade borough commander Richard Claydon, called on those present at the conference to be their eyes on the ground and help them identify those in Harrow who may be vulnerable and need extra support from services.

The conference was started by council leader Councillor David Perry, who called for ideas on how to broaden the membership of the scheme and set out the authority’s aims.

He said: “We have not made the change to community champions for the sake of it.

“We want to build on what we have in Harrow and broaden our base of champions out to the whole community.

“For our Labour administration and the council it is about us listening to you. We want to hear your ideas for Harrow and find out what is going on in the area.

“This is about us brining community organisations and leaders in the community together, to find out how we can support the people of the borough.”

Cllr Perry told the audience that a big part of the community champions’ scheme would be to increase membership especially among children and teenagers.

During the meeting tables with representatives from each ward in the borough took part in a workshop looking at the future of the scheme.