Met commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe is to retire after five years in charge of London policing.

The Metropolitan Police praised his impact, as it revealed the news on Thursday (September 29) morning, saying he had helped boost public confidence in the force during his time at the top.

It also hailed him for overcoming challenges ranging from the London riots of 2011 to the 2012 Olympics.

The announcement comes just days before he is due to attend a public Q&A at Westfield shopping centre.

Sir Bernard, who was appointed in September 2011, will remain in post until February next year to give the Home Secretary and Mayor of London time to appoint a successor.

He said: "I came into this job determined to fight crime and make the MPS the best, most professional police service. I wish my successor well as they take on this amazing responsibility.

'Most rewarding of jobs... to lock up the bad guys'

"It has been a great privilege to be the Met's Commissioner. I have loved my time in the role and I have loved being a police officer.

"It's the most rewarding of jobs to protect good people and lock up the bad guys."

The Met said crime across the capital had fallen by around 18% during Sir Bernard's time at the helm.

It claimed his commitment to so-called "Total Victim Care" had contributed to a marked rise in satisfaction with police in London.

Sir Bernard last year announced a significant increase in the number of firearms officers serving the capital , in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks.

He has overseen more than £600m of savings and the £370m sale of of the Met's historic New Scotland Yard HQ during his tenure, the Met said, while maintaining 32,000 police officers in the capital.