Newham’s borough commander is leaving to take up a new job at Scotland Yard.

Chief Supt Rob Jones says although he is looking forward to starting his new role, he will miss the borough which is home to many of his friends and family - including his Auntie Barbara who is a dinner lady in a local school.

“I am really going to miss Newham because it is a really friendly, interesting and vibrant place,” he said. “I have met some brilliant people in the community and local authority and I am really proud of what we have achieved.”

In his two years in Newham, Chief Supt Jones has improved the standard of care for victims to the extent that Newham has risen from being rated the worst in London for how victims feel they had been treated, with less than 70 pc of people thinking the police had done a good job, to the second-best with more than 80 pc praising officers’ work.

He has introduced a variety of initiatives including telephoning victims of crime to let people know of progress and organising follow up visits for people who have been affected by burglary to help them secure their houses.

“We have worked really hard and tried to provide a service which shows that we are there for victims,” Chief Supt Jones, 40, said. “It is something that is really important because that is why we join the police, to help people when they need us.

“We have to remember that for people who are victims of crime it is a really unusual experience for them. As well as investigating the crime, we have to spend time and care for people to make them feel reassured.”

In 2012, police in Newham solved more crimes than in the previous year in every category apart from robberies, where the number of crimes was reduced by by six per cent.

Chief Supt Jones’ has been asked to move to Scotland Yard to take on the role of commissioner’s staff officer which will involve running a team which helps to set a clear direction for the Met, something he says “couldn’t be more different” to his current job.

“It is a real surprise to be asked to do it,” he said. “My experience in Newham will be really useful though because I understand the impact that changes and decisions have on east London.

“One of the things that I will be really sure to let the commissioner know is what a fantastic job is being done in East London and inviting him to come and spend some time there.”

Chief Supt Rob Jones will leave Newham on February 24 and his successor, Detective Supt Tony Nash, who is currently temporary Chief Supt of Hackney police, will take up his new role on March 3. Detective Supt Helen Millichap will take charge in the interim.