A BOROUGH commander eight months into the job says his policy of “back to basics policing” is proving successful.

Detective Chief Superintendant Richard Wood took the the top job at Greenwich police last May.

He said: “Overall the picture’s really good in the borough. Crime has come down in all categories.

“If you commit crime in Greenwich you’re more likely now than ever before to be caught.”

Statistics show knife crime has fallen from 179 cases since last April compared to 215 at the same time last year while serious youth violence has fallen by 90 cases to 281.

Mr Wood is confident that his policy of getting police out their offices and on to the streets is making people in the borough feel safer.

He said: “It’s about back to basics policing - really working with the community to enforce the law.”

Greenwich now has a disruption unit led by Detective Chief Inspector Sean Yates, “getting in the faces” of a hardcore minority who commit much of the borough’s crime.

The borough commander’s predecessor Chris Jarratt left the role after high-profile blunders over black cab rapist Worboys and a failure to arrest Karl Bishop, who later murdered Sidcup teenager Rob Knox.

Last month an Independent Police Complaints Commission report severely criticised Plumstead officers for investigative failings in 2007 prior to Worboys’ arrest.

Mr Wood said: “The borough’s had a difficult time.

“There’s been some fairly negative media coverage. I’ve tried to take a very positive approach over moving on.

“I can’t turn the clock back.”

He admitted that errors were made in some of the investigative work but said a new senior management team was bringing “a new lease of life” to the borough.

Mr Wood added: “We’ve got some huge challenges ahead, particularly with the financial climate. All public services are going to have tighten their belts.

“I’ll protect frontline policing as best I can.”