THE new borough commander for Lewisham Police says his main task is to tackle burglary and violent crime.

Chief Superintendent Jeremy Burton was recently announced the leading officer in the borough after predecessor Alan Pughsley was promoted to Assistant Chief Constable at Kent police.

The 43-year-old married father-of-three, who coaches a children's rugby team at the weekends, moves to Lewisham after 20 years in the police.

His career has involved various anti-terrorism operations at the height of the Northern Ireland problems in the late 1990s when he helped prevent IRA terrorists blow up major utility centres in London.

Speaking on Thursday, he said: "I have huge experience in tackling crime and disorder.

"The two biggest challenges are tackling burglary and violent crime, while it is so important to keep up the fantastic community satisfaction record which Lewisham has."