BEXLEY police has named its new borough commander.

Superintendent Peter Ayling will take over from Chief Superintendent Victor Olisa on March 4 after the current commander’s departure was announced on Tuesday (January 29).

The 35-year-old joined Bexley as Superintendent of Operations in October and will be the borough's fifth commander in four years.

Bexley and Kingston will be the only two London boroughs without a Chief Superintendent in charge. 

The MET said the decision was part of plans to reduce “supervision processes across the service in order to maintain the number of constables policing our streets”.

A statement said: “There are no immediate plans to change the ranks of any other borough commanders at the moment.

“However the move towards a mix of ranks for these roles is an ongoing process so it is likely that similar changes will be made in appropriate boroughs in the coming months.

“The decision is dependent on the size and nature of these boroughs.”

Supt Ayling, 35, is originally from Hampshire, has an MSc in applied criminology and began his police career with Kent Police in 1998.

The married father worked in various posts across the county including sergeant on the Tactical Firearms Unit and as a Cadre Commander for public order and firearms.

In 2007 Supt Ayling was head of the Development Unit, was promoted to Chief Inspector in 2008 and posted to North Kent as Chief Inspector of operations, leading a number of cross border initiatives with Bexley Borough.

In December 2011 he joined the Metropolitan Police Service as a Superintendent and was posted to Southwark Borough.

Before becoming a police officer Supt Ayling worked as a personal trainer.

He is a keen sportsman and has played basketball at a semi professional level.