Detective Superintendent Jo Oakley - Deputy Police Borough Commander for Lewisham - shares her thoughts on Lewisham policing.

This is the second of my monthly updates for you from Lewisham Police. Last month I reflected on the performance of 2014 which saw some incredible crime reductions.

February again saw more reductions for burglary and robbery - interestingly with the south-east of London seeing burglary reductions during a time when often we tend to see a seasonal increase.

That said, you still need to strive to keep your properties as secure as possible.

Your local Safer Neighbourhood Teams will be able to give you advice if you need it or take a trip to the DIY store where you’ll be able to get some lock/security advice.

Generally, the better quality locks are going to cost you a bit more, but are much stronger.

Over the next month we see the current Borough Commander Chief Superintendent Russell Nyman leave Lewisham after nearly 3 years in post.

He has done lots of great work and is passionate about delivering the best quality service we possibly can to the community of Lewisham.

He will be replaced by Chief Superintendent Kate Halpin. The arrival of a female Borough Commander happens to coincide with this year being 100 years of female officers being given the power of arrest.

Doesn’t seem that long ago really does it? When I joined the organisation over 25 years ago, I didn’t realise that the change had come some 75 years before, but I certainly put the power of arrest into practice!

We also have one of the longest serving female officers within the Metropolitan Police based at Lewisham with 37 years’ service and still working hard responding to your calls.

Why not come and see some of the staff? A date for your diary - 14 June is Lewisham Police’s Open day.