Barking and Dagenham’s new police borough commander plans to target the roots of local violent crime while increasing neighbourhood crime-fighting.

Speaking exclusively to the Post, Chief Supt Sultan Taylor outlined his vision for the area.

Born in Trinidad and Tobago, he settled in England at the age of two and joined the force in 1983 – serving in then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s Finchley constituency.

After rising through the ranks across a number of London boroughs – including a brief stint in charge of the Met’s 7,000-strong vehicle fleet – he became borough commander of neighbouring Havering in 2005, before taking on a similar role in Ealing two years later.

No stranger to the area – as his wife is a former pupil of Mayesbrook School in Dagenham – he hopes to tackle criminals while supporting victims.

“I want to prevent crime, reduce crime and bring offenders to justice,” he said. “I particularly want to focus on supporting the victims of crime, especially domestic violence.”

With several stabbings already reported in the borough this year, including a dual incident in Thames Road Barking, in January, the police boss is keen to prevent violent crime from the off.

“Once I get to know the intelligence in the area, I will make sure I do all I can to prevent any sort of violence” he said.

“Whether the causes are drug or gang-related, we will do all we can because our plan is to stop the causes, rather than react after incidents happen.

“I’ll be working with doctors and health agencies to make sure we do all we can to get support and advice to try and make sure people don’t stay criminals.

“However those that do, I will throw the book at them.”

He also wants to put a bigger emphasis on the importance of community policing.

“I want to get the people to take ownership of their areas, in partnership with the police,” he explained.

“Success is when you don’t need to police areas as much.”