Sadiq Khan has been accused of ‘losing control’ of crime in London as the number of thefts has soared under his watch, according to new data.
The latest crime figures have shown that thefts and robberies involving knives have nearly doubled under the watch of the Labour London mayor.
According to new data collated by the mayor’s political rival Susan Hall, “theft from person” has surged by 96 per cent since Khan took office.
Swiping at Khan, who is seeking an unprecedented third term, Hall claimed if someone is robbed in London then “all you get is a crime reference number”.
Sadiq Khan has 'lost control' of crime in London - 'Phone stolen every six minutes'
PA
Data from Hall shows that in the year ending in March 2016, the Met Police recorded 33,983 “thefts from person” incidents.
However, by the year ending September 2023, this number had risen to 66,649.
A further breakdown of the data suggests robberies involving a knife have increased by 97 per cent.
Some 4,215 incidents of robberies involving a knife were recorded in the year ending March 2016 but the number rose to 8,307 in the year ending September 2013.
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Susan Hall blasted Khan over the latest figures
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During the same period, shoplifting skyrocketed by 20 per cent, going from 43,755 incidents to 52,436.
Hall said: “Crime is out of control in Sadiq Khan’s London, but he just won’t listen. I have a plan to sort it out.
“I am listening to Londoners, who tell me they do not feel safe and are fed up with being ignored by Sadiq Khan.
“As Mayor, I will put more officers on the beat and bring back borough-based policing so your police are local to you.”
In 2022, 90,864 phones were stolen in London, with the Tories blasting that the figure effectively suggests a mobile is stolen every six minutes.
The data does also highlight that some categories of crime have fallen since 2016.
Recorded incidents of domestic burglary, arson, bicycle theft and criminal damage have all decreased since 2016.
Sadiq Khan is seeking reelection in May
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A spokesman for Khan responded to the claims, saying: “The Mayor is investing record amounts in London’s public services, including an additional £151million in this year’s budget for policing and crime prevention.
“Sadiq has now doubled the amount of funding he’s given to the police since becoming Mayor.
“At the same time, Tory government cuts have been a disaster for combating crime across the country, with £1billion cut from the Met police in real terms since 2010, and £1billion cuts to youth services nationally having a devastating impact on the vital support communities can provide.
“All these Tory Government cuts to the Met and to youth services were enthusiastically backed by the Conservative candidate.”