Met's most senior female officer to retire

The second in command at the Metropolitan Police is to retire after a career of more than 35 years in policing.

Deputy Commissioner Dame Lynne Owens, started out as a PC in Catford, south-east London, in 1989.

She has had several other high profile roles, including Director General of the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the first female Chief Constable of Surrey Police.

The 56-year-old was brought in to help make changes at the Met at arguably one of the most troubled times in the force's history.

Dame Lynne, who will retire in May, said: "It has been an honour and privilege to return to the Met to support Sir Mark in making the changes that were needed, and which crucially were wanted by our officers and staff.

"I am proud of the progress we have made and our people deserve so much credit for their role in identifying what needed to be done and then delivering that for Londoners.

"Of course, there remains much, much more to do and I know my successor, once appointed, will build on what we have achieved so far."

Dame Lynne stood down as head of the NCA in 2021 for health reasons before returning to the Met in 2022.

The force has recently been brought out of a form of special measures by watchdog His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley paid tribute to her "relentless passion for policing by playing a pivotal role in leading the officers and staff of the Met to improve our service to Londoners".

The mayor of London and the home secretary will both have a role, along with the Met commissioner, in appointing the next deputy commissioner.

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