From charging down would-be rioters to rescuing a hamster, Sutton's outgoing top cop has spoken of his favourite memories of the job.

Sutton Borough Commander Detective Chief Superintendent Guy Ferguson is retiring in September having cut crime in the borough and increased public confidence.

Before he heads into retirement he spoke to the Sutton Guardian to share his memories of the job and speak about the parts he has enjoyed the most.

Perhaps the biggest test during his time in charge came in 2011 when riots broke out across London, including in nearby Croydon.

Det Ch Supt Ferguson said: "Many of the officers were elsewhere in London but I smelt trouble in Sutton so I got all my special constables and I said I'm not going to let this happen in my High Street.

"We went out and some kids told me it was all going to kick off at 9pm and at 9pm it did all change.

"Suddenly there were some new faces from other boroughs around and we could see people masking up and pulling scarves over their faces. 

"They formed up at the end of the High Street by Matalan and it was obvious that it was about to get interesting.

"We were facing them and a few bottles started to come at us and I thought 'I'm not just going to stand here and be a target' so we all got our batons out and ran down the High Street at them and they ran away like scalded cats."

Windows were broken and there were break-ins in Sutton the night but nothing on the scale of the disorder in neighbouring areas.

Det Ch Supt said one of his other favourite aspects of his job in Sutton had been the relationship he has fostered with his officers, a relationship he said has improved policing in the area.

He added: "I've loved every moment of my time. For me what I'm most proud of is we've reduced crime by 30 per cent in five years. I'm really pleased we've been able to do that.

"I'm also proud of the policing style we have here. The station is a happy place and that feeling gets passed on during the officers' day to day work.

"What I have always encouraged my officers to do is to put them in the shoes of whoever they are dealing with, think about what they would consider excellent service and then go one step further.

"Rolo the hamster [who fell from a window in Beddington and was then cornered by a cat until nearby officers spotted the scene and rescues the rodent] is my favourite example of that.

"Some will say 'what's that got to do with policing', well, nothing probably - but it has everything to do with reinforcing police legitimacy.

"There's a girl who will now, hopefully, remember her contact with the police in a positive way for the rest of her life."

Det Ch Insp Ferguson said he plans to find a new job in his retirement but will also spend more time with his family and enjoying his hobbies of rugby and cycling.