Afghan police chief visits Scotland Yard in London

A police chief from Afghanistan is visiting Scotland Yard to learn about UK policing.

General Hakim Angar, chief of police in the Taliban stronghold of Helmand, southern Afghanistan, learned how crime is tackled in London.

He was shown a Met phone call handling centre in Lambeth. A similar system is to be put in place in his province.

Britain is part of an international effort to rebuild security in the country, training soldiers and police.

Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said: "New Scotland Yard is a natural place for foreign police chiefs to visit given the international reputation of the Metropolitan Police and I was very pleased to welcome General Angar.

"I outlined how London is policed as well as talking about our national responsibilities.

"We were then able to discuss some of the challenges facing policing, as well as the progress that is being made in Afghanistan."

General Angar told Sir Paul about the challenges of trying to build a police force against a backdrop of suicide bombs and terrorism.

He also outlined attempts to tackle corruption and reconcile complicated local laws and customs with policing.