A former police constable in Brent who was instrumental in bringing down serious and organised crime gangs internationally and at home, has been awarded in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.

Paul Lockhart, who recently retired from serving the borough after a 36-year career, has been awarded a Queen’s Policing Medal (QPM).

In the 1990s, he set up a team of plain clothes surveillance officers following a rise in passenger bag thefts at Heathrow Airport, leading to multiple arrests.

Later in his career, he identified an organised criminal network who stole 150 catalytic convertors from vehicles across 18 boroughs.

Seen by colleagues as a “super recogniser” he was also awarded for his part in leading Brent to a reduction in crime of approximately 20 per cent in the last four years

Mr Lockhart, said: “This award is an absolute honour. Policing has always been my passion and the highest priority is always the victims of crime. I hope I have served them well.”