Queen honours senior Met officer

Mr Ghaffur said the CBE also honoured his work colleagues

The first ethnic police officer to reach the rank of Chief Constable is being rewarded for his achievements in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, who leads the Specialist Crime Directorate, has been appointed a CBE.

Mr Ghaffur started his 30-year career in Manchester and moved to the Met in September 1999.

His remit includes homicide, child protection and gun crime.

Family and friends

Mr Ghaffur said the CBE also recognised the many officers and staff he had worked with in his 30 year career.

He said: "It is both an honour and a privilege to receive the CBE.

"I am also grateful for the support I have received from the many diverse communities I have worked with during my time with four UK police forces.

"This honour brings great pleasure to my family, colleagues and friends."

Line judge

Other Londoners honoured include the director of the Royal Botanical Gardens, at Kew, Prof Peter Crane who receives a knighthood in recognition of his services to Horticulture and Conservation.

Maureen Croom, from Islington, a cleaner at 10 Downing Street has become an MBE.

And MBEs also go to Wimbledon line judge Raghbir Mhajan, and Alan Cohen for his work with the London Taxi Drivers' Fund for Underprivileged Children.

Olly Croft, from Muswell Hill, north London, the founder of modern darts who created the British Darts Organisation in 1973, becomes an OBE.