Hello everyone, I recently returned from a trip to New York City. Apart from some bulging bags, and bulging waistline I did come back with some observations about the policing there and the lessons we can learn.

In New York you see police officers everywhere. They are on the subway platforms, riding the trains, at all the sites, and importantly patrolling on foot. I have to say the presence they provided was reassuring and made me feel extremely safe.

On holiday I was an ordinary member of the public in need of the reassurance offered by a uniformed officer. It made me realise just how important this is and how as police officers we need to keep this at the forefront of our thinking. Indeed I can think of nothing more important than making the community feel safe.

One of my top priorities over the next few weeks is to ensure my staff are more visible to you. I want you to notice them walking around. I have said to my teams 'if a postman can visit every street on your ward in a day then so should you'.

New York has advantages in numbers over the police in London, but we have certain advantages over the police in New York. We smile more, aren't as scary, and want you to come up and speak to us.

Please let me know if you are not reguarly seeing officers from the community teams patrolling your wards as I want them out there and need to know if their presence is not making a difference to you.

Keep well and keep safe. Neil