Report Urges Removal of Sadiq Khan’s Authority Over Met Police
Recent findings highlight ambiguities concerning the Metropolitan Police’s performance under the governance of Mayor Sadiq Khan. A report by Policy Exchange underscores a profound disparity in the effectiveness of the force against different types of crime.
Recommendations for Authority Removal
The report suggests a reevaluation of Sadiq Khan’s authority over the Metropolitan Police. While the Met is praised for its management of homicide cases, statistics reveal that it struggles significantly with high-volume crimes.
Key Statistics on Crime Rates
- Homicides in London dropped to 42 in the first half of 2025.
- Shoplifting surged by 167% from 2021-2022 to 2024-2025, totaling 93,705 offences.
- The Met solves only 5% of reported robberies and burglaries.
- Only 1 in 76 bicycle thefts, 1 in 179 personal thefts, and 7.7% of shoplifting cases are resolved.
Commissioner’s Performance and Community Impact
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has faced criticism for failing to fulfill commitments to enhance neighborhood policing. The report attributes this to delays in operational shifts, reduced front-line personnel, and station closures.
Conversely, Commander Hayley Sewart argues that recent strategies are yielding positive results. She noted a near 15% decrease in theft, robbery, and vehicle crime. Furthermore, knife-related crimes have also seen significant declines, with a 16% reduction in knife-enabled incidents and over a 23% drop in knife-enabled robberies over the past year.
Funding and Community Trust
Despite a £260 million funding shortfall, Sewart emphasized the commitment to protecting public safety and community policing. Over the past two years, the Met has expanded neighborhood teams by more than 500 personnel, including Police Community Support Officers.
Public perception remains relatively positive, with 81% of Londoners rating the Met’s performance as good or fair. This highlights a crucial aspect of community engagement amidst calls for reform in policing strategies.
Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Commitment
A spokesperson for Mayor Sadiq Khan reiterated the administration’s dedication to public safety. The Mayor’s approach combines robust financial support for the police with targeted crime prevention initiatives through the Violence Reduction Unit. This dual strategy aims to address both crime rates and its root causes.
With overall homicide rates in London at their lowest since 2003, Khan’s initiatives are credited with bringing about a safer environment, particularly for young individuals in the capital.
