Over 1,000 Homicides in London Under Sadiq Khan’s Watch
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, is facing tough questions as new data reveals a shocking toll: over 1,000 murders have been recorded during his time in office. Since Khan took charge eight years ago, London’s streets have seen a deadly rise in violent crime, leaving around 130 families devastated each year.
Crime Stats Tell a Grim Tale
Police records show 1,003 homicides up to the end of 2023, with a further five murders in just the first ten days of 2024. These figures flag serious concerns about the capital’s safety and the effectiveness of Khan’s crime policies.
Khan’s Controversial Funding Choices
Critics slam Khan for refusing to release £70 million funding to support the Metropolitan Police’s ‘New Met For London’ reforms. Instead, he’s pushing a £30 million pay deal to unions to avoid crippling Tube strikes — sparking outrage that fighting crime is taking a backseat to other priorities.
Opposition and Bereaved Families Speak Out
Tory mayoral hopeful Susan Hall said, “I am deeply saddened to hear that over 1,000 people have been killed in London since Sadiq Khan took charge eight years ago.”
Conservative MP Louie French added, “Sadiq Khan’s biggest failure is arguably his record on crime. Parents now fear sending their kids to school due to rising knife crime. London needs a mayor focused on policing, not pronouns and PR.”
The stepmother of stabbing victim Jodie Chesney also criticised Khan for prioritising ULEZ revenue over tackling knife crime.
Khan’s Office Responds
A spokesperson insisted public safety remains Khan’s top priority. They highlighted the mayor’s ongoing support for bereaved families and pointed out that government cuts to policing and youth services have worsened crime rates over the past decade.
The office claims London has seen falls in homicides, gun crime, and knife injuries since 2016 thanks to investments in policing and early intervention through the Violence Reduction Unit.
Despite these reassurances, the stark numbers underline an urgent need for stronger action to curb London’s violent crime wave before more lives are lost.
