Ealing's top police officer stepped down on Friday saying he had been horrified by knife crime in the borough but insisting incidents had reduced under his watch.
Chief Superintendent Sultan Taylor served his final day with Ealing Police on Friday, and bowed out to join the National Policing Improvement Agency in Hampshire, satisfied he had 'done his duty' to the borough.
During Mr Taylor's tenure knife enabled crime had reduced slightly from 167 cases a year to 153 according to the latest figures.
Mr Taylor, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago, said: "My greatest achievement is that overall, certain serious crime has fallen, such as GBH, attempted murder and youth violence. Our average response time was 22 minutes but this has now fallen to 12 minutes. The controlled drinking zones (CDZs) are working across the borough and more volunteers are coming forward to join the specials."
But, despite the number of stabbings in Ealing reaching double figures since the start of the year, Mr Taylor said he was horrified at some of the incidents but maintains 'knife-enabled crime had gone down.
He feels Ealing is a safer place for people but is aware the Police must tackle the root of crime and tough measures will need to be taken to overcome the Government's 25per cent cut in public sector funding.
He said: "The borough is the third most populated in London and there are a number of people who don't show in official data and deprivation and local economics play into pressures to commit crime. The main causes of crime are alcohol and drugs and we're trying to make sure we tackle this in a holistic way.
"We have officers who visit schools to teach children about the effects of drugs, we have plain-clothed officers who patrol on streets and buses and we've been targeting people who we feel are gang members.
"But we have to be realistic over the 25per cent cuts over the next three years and with the Olympics in two year's time, it means the police service will be stretched."
Mr Taylor, who is the longest serving borough commander, said he had to overcome some difficult hurdles to join the Police force but said his hard work had paid off as he moved up the ranks.
He said: "I liked sports from a young age and captained many games and those attributes helped me progress as I feel I'm a natural team leader. My service in Ealing has embraced diversity and I have actively worked with internal and external partnerships such as with businesses and the community.
"I'm pleased I'm leaving a team I feel I have built up and know they will be in good hands with the new borough commander who will capitalise on their strengths. I have enjoyed the last 27 years in the Met and wouldn't change too much and wish the people of Ealing and the new commander all the very best."
The 50-year-old who has served nearly three decades with the Metropolitan Police Service said he will be leaving the borough with reduced rates of serious crime, CDZs which are working and significantly improved police response times.
