Kingston’s new borough commander has said he wants residents to “take pride” in their police force.

Superintendent Glenn Tunstall also promised the police would work closely with Kingston Council to protect vulnerable children, following last month’s inadequate Ofsted report criticising both social workers and the force.

After an unsteady year for Kingston police, which has seen two borough commanders retire in the space of five months, Supt Tunstall, 46, said he would be happy to see out the remainder of his career as Kingston’s top cop.

Having previously worked in Kingston as a sergeant, the father-of-one said he already had an insight into how the borough worked.

He said: “If there was one borough where I wanted to be borough commander it was Kingston.

“There is so many opportunities working here, and as a sergeant I got to understand the workings of the borough.

“It’s a mandatory posting of two years. I have got three-and-a-half years left [before he is allowed to retire after 30 years’ service] and I would be happy to stay for the rest of that time.

“But it isn’t up to me unfortunately.”

The Metropolitan Police faced criticism last month when the latest Ofsted report on Kingston’s children’s services claimed vital social work visits were being delayed due to a “lack of police availability”.

Supt Tunstall said he was aware of the situation and had already spoken to council chief executive Bruce McDonald.

He said: “We will work very closely with our partners.

“I have already had phone conversations with the chief executive and other senior members in the council, and as far as we’re concerned, it’s going to be a close working relationship. It’s how we will achieve our vision for the borough.”

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Asked what his vision for the borough was, Supt Tunstall said: “It’s about being the safest borough, and we’ve had a 10 per cent reduction in crime this year already.

“We have a role in keeping the community safe, but we want to be part of that community as well, and I want the community to have pride in their police.”

Supt Tunstall’s previous post was in Westminster, and he said he would be drawing on his experiences there to deal with Kingston’s infamous night-time economy.

He said: “I think we are already doing some great stuff but I think we could do more around visibility, especially in the town centre.

“But it will not just come through putting police officers in the street.

“The work our partners are doing around licensing is also having a big impact.”