This is my first blog since arriving at Harrow almost three weeks ago, and I'm happy to report that I am settling in well to my new role as Borough Commander.

My first few weeks have been busy with meetings and introductions, and I have visited places of worship and community venues across the borough with PC Mahesh Nandha, Faith Officer for Harrow Police.  I look forward to meeting and getting to know many more of you over the coming weeks.

My priorities for the borough are about fighting crime, and reducing crimes such as burglary, robbery and anti-social behaviour, which affect and bring a great deal of misery to the law-abiding people of our community.

As well as responding to crimes that you call us about and looking at emerging crime trends, my officers will pro-actively be targeting those who we know are committing crime in the borough and bringing the perpetrators of those crimes to justice.  We plan to do this using a number of tactics and I will keep you updated on our successes.

As you know, police officers never know what they will be up against on a day-to-day basis and are ready for all eventualities. Sometimes they are not always faced with the most pleasant of situations, but we can't say that of a call that PCs Sasha Hubert and Charlotte Herson from C Team responded to recently from our colleagues at the London Ambulance Service, who were seeking our help with a woman who was at home alone when she went into labour.

When the officers arrived at the address there was no sign of the ambulance and they had to force their way into the house after a woman, seen at an upstairs window, indicated that she couldn't answer the door. The officers got into the house and to their surprise they met with a very distressed woman, and a very new-born baby.

PC Sasha Hubert, already prepared with her gloves on, took charge giving the baby an initial check over to make sure that all was well. Thankfully the baby girl looked pink and healthy and appeared unperturbed by the drama that her sudden arrival had caused. The officers applied first aid and reassurance to the mother and wrapped the baby in a towel before the arrival of the paramedics - to the immense relief of all concerned.

I am glad to say that both mother, baby and PCs Hubert and Herson are all doing fine.

An award ceremony hosted by Supt Ben Honey was held at Pinner Village Hall for our Special Constables and Volunteer Police Cadets to recognise their contribution to last summers' Olympic Games.

The cadets assisted at the officer deployment and accommodation centres whilst the Special Constables supported officers in central London and on the Olympic route networks, some specials completing duties in excess of 12 hours.

MSC Sergeant Albert Sylvester and MSC acting Sergeant Roma Wesolek were given a special mention for the high volume of hours they both contributed to keeping the Safer Transport Team afloat. Also Special Constable Rob Harrild was there to receive his certificate, awarded for dedication and commitment to the Metropolitan Special Constabulary after serving 46 years as a Special Constable. My thanks to all the volunteers who give up hours of their own time to support the MPS and their police officer and police staff colleagues.

Acting Police Sergeant Ian Cheetham led on two Operation Cubos last week; one at Imperial Way, Rayners Lane which resulted in 83 vehicles being stopped, three fixed penalty notices being issued, one person reported for motoring offences and four vehicles being seized. Police also stopped ninety vehicles at the second site at High Street, Edgware, issuing 20 fixed penalty notices and seizing one car . The aim of these operations is to cause disruption to anyone driving illegally or using their cars to commit crime in Harrow.

Officers from C Team arrested two men on suspicion of burglary after stopping their car in Oxhey Lane and finding property in the car believed to have been stolen in a burglary. The men decamped from the vehicle and officers caught them hiding in a nearby garden. The suspects were taken to Harrow Police station where the matter is still under investigation.