Today sees the start of a once in a generation event both for the people of London & the Metropolitan Police.

The Olympics in London is something that none of us are likely to ever see or be part of again and I know that we are all hoping for a safe and secure Olympics that everybody enjoys.

As I mentioned last week we have a comprehensive policing plan to ensure that as far as possible there is a "Business as Usual" response from your police here at Merton.

To help us deliver that we have been and will continue to be supported by colleagues from outside London.

Some of you have already contacted us to enquire about the different uniforms seen across the borough and we have been receiving lots of positive feedback about the work they have been doing.

Those of you who follow us on social media will know that, on Tuesday, myself and my senior managers went "Back to the Floor" and spent a Late Turn with our officers dealing with calls, carrying out vehicle and foot patrols and speaking to members of the public.

I was accompanied for some of my patrols by Rev Andrew Wakefield, Chair of our Police Consultative Group.

We had a varied evening and amongst other things we dealt with a domestic incident, visited a member of the public to thank them for calling 999 that result in two burglars being arrested and went on foot patrol in Mitcham town centre.

The foot patrol was particularly enlightening and rewarding. Everyone we spoke to was very engaging and friendly and we had a long chat with a group of Jamaican men about their views on Bolt vs Blake for the 100m Gold medal - although I didn't take up their offer of a bet on the result!

Andrew and I also had time to discuss future plans for Merton, particularly working more closely with the business community and volunteers.

All in all, senior mangers out on patrol has so many benefits that we will be repeating it on a monthly basis across a range of units and times.

Crime continues to fall across Merton which is thanks to the better use of our resources and the strong partnership relationships that have been developed here.

The one exception to this is Motor Vehicle Crime - specifically thefts from inside vehicles.

What unites most of these crimes are that they are 1) opportunistic and 2) in most cases the property was visible outside.

Please remember that simple crime prevention measures will make a difference and please call us if you see people acting suspiciously near to cars.

As for Burglary , you will know that I have a similar message.

Windows, doors and back gates left open or unlocked and exactly what a burglar is looking for. If ever you needed a reminder of that have a look at this video on YouTube . It might be from Manchester but it shows very bluntly how burglars select houses to break into. Please don't let this happen to you.

Hopefully by next week I will be reflecting on a brilliant start to the Olympics and I will update you all with out progress on fighting crime across the borough.

Have a great weekend. For those coming to the Mitcham and Morden Olympic Celebration & Community Fayre at The Hub in Bishopsford Road tomorrow, hopefully I will see you there.

Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Williams is the borough commander for Merton Police. He joined in January 2012 and wants Wimbledon Guardian readers to contact him with ideas on how to improving policing in our borough.

To put forward a suggestion or a question, email: newsdesk@wimbledonguardian.co.uk and put "Merton police" in the subject line.

Click here for more messages from the borough commander.