Blair heads residents crime group

Sir Ian Blair was formerly a deputy chief constable of Thames Valley Police

Former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has been appointed head of a voluntary crime prevention group in the Thames Valley.

Sir Ian, who stepped down last year after London Mayor Boris Johnson called for his resignation, said he wanted to put his experience to good use.

The Thames Valley Partnership aims to cut crime across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

Sir Ian, who lives in Oxford, said it was cheaper to act to prevent crime.

"Having shed the uniform and responsibilities of dealing with the consequences of crime, I am now eager to bring my experience to focus on preventing crime in the first place, for the benefit of every community in the Thames Valley region," he said.

Sir Ian, who was also formerly a deputy chief constable of Thames Valley Police, added: "There are huge, personal, social and taxpayer costs in coping with the consequences of crime.

"It is cheaper, and much less tragic in human terms, if we act to prevent crime."

The Thames Valley Partnership was established in 1993 and co-ordinates local networks that promote crime prevention and victim support.

Lindsey Poole, partnership chief executive, said: "His energy and expertise, plus local knowledge, will be critical in helping to ensure Thames Valley remains at the forefront of developing the initiatives that make us all feel, and actually be, safer in our own neighbourhoods."