Damilola is my biggest regret, says Sir John

Scotland Yard chief Sir John Stevens said today that one of his ambitions before he retires is to see the killers of Damilola Taylor brought to justice.

Sir John, who today announced officially he would leave the Met in January, said his greatest regret was the failure to convict anyone for the murder that shocked the country.

Speaking to the Evening Standard, he said: "The real disappointment for me is the Damilola Taylor case. I still hope that will be cracked. It was on my watch and that is my big disappointment. But I hope there will be progress on that - you have to be optimistic."

Two years ago four teenagers were cleared of murdering the 10-year-old when the prosecution case at the Old Bailey collapsed after the star witness, a 14-year-old girl, was discredited as a liar. However, last year the Met announced a fresh investigation.

Forensic scientists have been using new techniques to examine items found at the murder scene in Peckham, raising hopes of a breakthrough.

Changes to the double jeopardy rule, which prevented defendants who were acquitted from being tried a second time, could also open the way for a fresh prosecution. Sir John, who formally announced his retirement at the Metropolitan Police Authority annual meeting today, is leaving the Met after five years when his contract runs out in January.

Known as the "copper's copper", Sir John, 61, is acknowledged as having rescued the Met from crisis after it was accused of racism and incompetence in its handling of the Stephen Lawrence murder inquiry.

Today he can claim to have cut street crime by 11 per cent this year and brought burglary figures to a 29-year low.

His retirement will end his 43-year career which started as a beat Pc in Hammersmith. However, he will continue-to lead the investigation into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, as a civilian. He will also continue to head an inquiry into collusion between the security forces and loyalist murder gangs in Northern Ireland.

Sir John said: "My job is the best in the world. I have enjoyed every minute of it - well, not quite every minute but almost every minute."

He has accepted a position as a lecturer in criminal justice at the New York City University, starting next year.