Former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has been appointed head of local crime prevention group the Thames Valley Partnership.

The voluntary organisation aims to cut crime in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

The appointment comes a year after Sir Ian was forced out of office at Scotland Yard by London Mayor Boris Johnson.

Sir Ian, a former deputy chief constable of Thames Valley Police who lives in Oxfordshire, said he wants to put his experience to good use.

He said: "Having shed the uniform and responsibilities of dealing with the consequences of crime, I am now eager to bring my experience to focus on preventing crime in the first place, for the benefit of every community in the Thames Valley region.

"There are huge, personal, social and taxpayer costs in coping with the consequences of crime. It is cheaper, and much less tragic in human terms, if we act to prevent crime."

Lindsey Poole, chief executive of the Thames Valley Partnership, said Sir Ian had been a long-standing advocate of similar community projects.

She said: "His energy and expertise, plus local knowledge, will be critical in helping to ensure Thames Valley remains at the forefront of developing the initiatives that make us all feel, and actually be, safer in our own neighbourhoods."

Gerry Marshall, Thames Valley chief probation officer, said it was a "bold, imaginative and sensible appointment".

The Thames Valley Partnership was established in 1993 and co-ordinates local networks that promote crime prevention and victim support.