Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced the creation of a new Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) division, the Roads and Transport Policing Command (RTPC).

The new unit will be made up of 2,300 police and police community support officers, making it the largest police command in the country. It will work towards reducing crime on the bus network, illegal taxi touting and unsafe vehicles.

Mr Johnson explained that the command would help Transport for London meet its target of reducing road deaths in London by 40 per cent before 2020.

The RTPC also represents a streamlining of current services, which is expected to save approximately £10 million every year by cutting duplicated provisions and working more effectively.

MPS commander Stephen Watson said: “Much has already been achieved through our joint efforts and we are confident that this new and fully integrated command will enable us to build on a legacy of success.”