I'll put police back on beat says 'sheriff'

London's new "sheriff" today called for more officers on the beat and a shift away from specialist policing.

Kit Malthouse will take charge of overall policing strategy next week under the Government's plans for directly elected police commissioners.

He will be known as Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime and head a body with an annual budget of £11 million.

The Mayor's Office for Policing and crime will take over from the Metropolitan Police Authority. Boris Johnson will retain the final say over policies.

Mr Malthouse said he would strengthen the Met's response to youth violence as well as targeting robbery, drug dealing, burglary and gangs.

He said: "My view is that we need to swing resources back to safer neighbourhood teams and local policing and away from specialist crime."