The mayor defends London against international and right-wing criticism, portraying the city as liberal, diverse, and a thriving hub for tourism, investment, education, and culture.

Police activity reports more than 1,000 monthly arrests and a visibility-focused approach to ensure safety for residents and visitors.

Political rhetoric around crime has surged on social media and from opposition figures, often tied to anti-immigrant sentiment, which the mayor counters with data-driven messaging.

While murder rates have fallen, other crimes such as phone-snatching and shoplifting have risen, with national crime up about 7% for the year to March 2025.

Overall crime in England and Wales shows a 7% increase for the year ending March 2025, though still below 2017 levels.

Strategies credited include better use of mobile-phone data, increased intelligence, and cracking down on drug dealers tied to violence, along with more seizures of guns and knives.

The Met highlights dramatic drops in youth violence, including the fewest teenage victims this century and a 73% reduction since 2021, with teen murders down significantly by 2025.

London’s crime trend is presented as a success story by the mayor, who links declines in serious violence to a long-term strategy that includes doubled policing, more recruits, and targeted violence reduction work, while pushing back against dystopian narratives.

Homicides in London declined from 109 in 2024 to 97 in 2025, signaling progress in violent crime alongside increases in non-violent offenses.

A vetting review found 131 Met officers and staff, including two serial rapists, committed misconduct after insufficient vetting, leading to tighter procedures and greater transparency about past practices.

The city doubled policing in the West End to deter high-volume theft, with notable declines in personal robbery and personal theft in recent periods.

Authorities remain committed to reducing crime further through proactive safety measures while sustaining tailored interventions.