Tough-talking former Flying Squad detective Nick Blackburn has officially stepped into one of London’s highest-pressure policing roles, taking charge as South Area Commander for Croydon, Sutton and Bromley.

The seasoned officer replaces DCS Andy Brittain, who was promoted to Scotland Yard earlier this year. Blackburn now leads the South Area Basic Command Unit (BCU) — a vast policing zone that includes three of the capital’s most diverse and demanding boroughs.

“I asked for this role,” Blackburn said in an exclusive first interview. “My focus is simple — crime suppression through intelligence, visibility and community trust.”

From the Flying Squad to the Front Line

With over 25 years of policing experience, Blackburn’s CV reads like a blueprint for Met leadership. He cut his teeth in Bexley in 1999 before joining the elite Flying Squad, the Met’s rapid-response robbery unit.

By 2009, he was back in borough work, operating as a detective sergeant in Southwark — gaining on-the-ground experience in local crime prevention.

Now, as BCU Commander, he’ll be at the helm of policing across some of the city’s most crime-affected zones, including Croydon town centre, parts of Bromley facing youth violence, and Sutton’s suburban hotspots.

New Era for South London Policing

Blackburn’s appointment comes at a tense time for the Met. The force is under scrutiny following a series of scandals and ongoing knife crime surges, especially across South London.

“We need to be proactive, not reactive,” he said. “That means more visibility, smarter targeting of offenders, and honest engagement with the public.”

He pledged to bring a “zero tolerance approach to violence”, while supporting vulnerable groups and addressing deep-rooted trust issues.

Public Safety and Community Rebuilding

The South Area BCU oversees policing for nearly 1 million residents, coordinating frontline response teams, neighbourhood patrols, safeguarding operations, and major investigations.

Local leaders have welcomed Blackburn’s arrival, praising his operational expertise and track record on serious crime.

One Croydon councillor told UKNIP: “We need a leader who won’t flinch from the reality on our streets — Blackburn looks like that leader.”