Islington’s top officer today pledged that people will get “direct influence” on policing in the borough.

In a pilot restructure, officers from Islington and Camden boroughs will combine under one unit in January.

The Met today announced that “Basic Command Units” (BCUs) will replace the current system of borough policing, with less money spent on management and more on neighbourhood policing.

And DCS Catherine Roper, the current Islington borough commander, has been promoted to oversee the Islington and Camden BCU. She told the Gazette this afternoon: “The new model offers the opportunity to flex our available resources across Islington and Camden to make sure we can provide the best service to our communities.

“The BCU model has at its heart the principle of neighbourhood policing, ensuring dedicated assets work with local people, with an increased focus overall in protecting the most vulnerable in our boroughs. This includes an increase of both specialist skills and proactive capability.

“What I really like about the BCUs is that we will be working in partnership with the local authorities to help shape the best policing service we can for the people across Islington and Camden. This means local people and the people that represent them will have a direct influence in shaping future of policing in London.”

She added: “From a personal perspective, Islington and Camden are both incredible boroughs, and I am extremely proud to be part of this.”

Cllr Andy Hull, Islington’s community safety leader, approved of the pilot scheme. He said: “Under this pilot, Islington will see increased numbers of neighbourhood police officers and more locally tailored work on domestic violence and child protection. We welcome these positive steps.

“Together with colleagues at Camden Council and City Hall, we will monitor the pilot scheme carefully to make sure it delivers high quality policing for our communities.

“I would also like to congratulate DCS Roper on her appointment in command of the new shared service, and look forward to collaborating closely to make Islington a safer and fairer place.”