Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe to retire as Metropolitan Police chief

Britain's most senior police officer is to retire after five years as head of Scotland Yard.

The Metropolitan Police said Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe will remain in his post until February 2017 to allow the Home Secretary and Mayor of London to appoint a successor.

The 58-year-old, who was appointed in September 2011, said: "It has been a great privilege to be the Met's Commissioner. I have loved my time in the role and I have loved being a police officer.

"It's the most rewarding of jobs to protect good people and lock up the bad guys."