Sadiq Khan joined Met officers on patrol in Westminster today to see how targeted policing is reducing robbery and theft in the West End. This effort is part of the New Met for London plan to improve frontline policing and rebuild public trust.
The London mayor observed officers using data to focus patrols in crime hotspots. From October 2023 to January 2024, 5,768 individuals were charged or cautioned for various offences, including 621 for robbery and 497 for knife crime. In Westminster, nearly 300 individuals were charged or cautioned for violence, knife crime, and robbery.
The New Met for London plan will deploy more officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in every borough and ward. An additional 1,300 neighbourhood police officers and more PCSOs will be recruited, supported by a £151 million budget from City Hall.
The mayor’s visit coincided with the launch of the Robbery Reduction Partnership, led by the mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC). This partnership aims to boost cooperation between local businesses, councils, police, and other agencies to reduce robbery.
Khan highlighted the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on crime rates, urging the government to address the root causes and fund the Met Police adequately.
“Reducing crime and making London safer is my top priority,” said Khan. “I will support the police in targeting offenders and work with mobile phone manufacturers to combat mobile phone crime, which drives robbery.”
“As mayor, I’ll continue to do everything I can to boost officer numbers and support the police to go after the worst offenders. I’ll also work with leading mobile phone manufacturers to develop long-term solutions to end the menace of mobile phone crime, which we know is driving robbery in our communities – not just in London but across the UK," Khan said.
"But we know we’ll never simply be able to arrest our way out of this problem, so this extra enforcement action will go alongside investment in prevention, youth clubs, and other interventions led by my Violence Reduction Unit," he said.
Met Commander Owain Richards stressed the importance of making London safe for residents and visitors, using data to direct resources effectively.
“Our priority is to make the capital a safer place for people who live and work here – as well as the thousands of visitors who come to enjoy all of the fantastic things Westminster has to offer," Richards said.
He also mentioned the use of live facial recognition to catch criminals. “Live facial recognition is also being used to take harmful criminals off our streets,” he said.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)