Londoners concerns about violent crime could influence mayoral election

Londoners are most concerned about violent crime in the capital – and this could be a main factor when it comes to electing a new Mayor.

The majority of voters identified violent crime as a major worry across all 32 London boroughs, according to new research, despite the Met Commissioner insisting last week that violent crime is ‘not up’.

The independent research, conducted by Mortar London, found that over half (54.1 per cent) of those quizzed named violent crime as the biggest worry, with the second most popular answer being affordable housing to rent (43.7 per cent).

In the survey conducted this year between January and February, 2,062 people were asked the question ‘when you vote for London mayor what are your biggest concerns?”

Violent crime was also found to be more of a worry among female voters than males, with 56.3 per cent of women naming it a major concern versus 52 per cent of men.

Across age groups, violent crime was found to be more of a concern among London’s 18-24 year olds (46.6 per cent) and 45-54 year olds (63.9 per cent).

Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, told a meeting of the London Assembly’s police and crime committee last month that there had been a “very significant reduction” in the number of violent crimes since 2019.

When asked whether violent crime is likely to rise again once lockdown restrictions are eased, Dick said: “I am not suggesting that we could see a rise in violence when we begin to ease some of the lockdown measures”.

Wandsworth was one of the boroughs most concerned with violent crime (65.3 per cent) whilst Merton, Lambeth, Kensington and Chelsea voted affordable housing as a top priority.

Pollution and environment was voted the biggest concern in Greenwich, identified by 55.2 per cent.

The next Mayoral and London Assembly elections will take place on May 6 later this year.