London Mayor Sadiq Khan is under fire following his office’s decision to end funding for the Online Watch Link (OWL) platform, which allowed the Metropolitan Police to share crime alerts and prevention advice directly with Londoners. The decision, signed in March by Khan’s deputy, Sophie Linden, led to the platform’s closure in October, sparking criticism from several quarters, including the London Assembly and opposition members.

The closure of OWL has raised concerns about the lack of a suitable replacement, with some claiming that the decision came before a new system was ready to launch. Reform UK assembly member Alex Wilson questioned why MOPAC proceeded with the closure without an alternative in place. In response, Khan suggested the decision was driven by funding priorities and invited critics to participate in a public budget consultation.

Opposition members, including Tory assembly member Susan Hall, criticized the mayor’s record on crime. Hall accused Khan of effectively decriminalizing crimes in London, citing a low conviction rate for burglaries. Khan defended his record, citing a 20% reduction in burglaries compared to the previous mayor’s final year and highlighting the impact of austerity on crime levels.

The closure of OWL, and the broader debate on crime in London, has intensified political tensions, with critics arguing that the mayor’s decisions are weakening public safety in the city.