THE capital's police chief has announced plans to give every ward its own dedicated police team.

Greenwich already has eight Safer Neighbourhood squads, which aim to increase police visibility and tackle the key crime issues affecting the area it polices.

But now Met Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has promised every ward in Greenwich, and across London, will have its own Safer Neighbourhood team by April next year.

He says the teams are "the greatest development in community policing London has seen in the past 30 or 40 years".

Sir Ian added: "I have no doubt it will have a significant impact on crime and public reassurance."

Safer Neighbourhood teams comprise six officers a sergeant, two PCs and three Police Community Support Officers.