Mayor launches £7m campaign as study shows Londoners vastly over‑estimate crime
Research by King's College reveals public fear far exceeds official figures, prompting a new disinformation effort by the Greater London Authority
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The central claim is attributed to King's College London research and supported by ONS and Home Office figures.
Higher is stronger
The article clearly separates research findings from political commentary and explains the methodology.
Higher is stronger
The headline uses 'concerns outweigh reality' which is a fair summary of the research findings.
Lower is better
The Greater London Authority has started a £7 million online‑disinformation drive after a study showed Londoners’ fear of crime is far higher than official statistics. The mayor’s plan aims to correct false narratives that portray the capital as unsafe.
Perception gap revealed by research
London safety myths debunked by KCL report, crime rates lower than perceived
The Policy Institute at King's College London finds violent crime among the lowest in England and Wales while public belief inflates Muslim population size and the idea of Sharia‑law ‘no‑go’ zones.
BBC London reported that King’s College London researchers compared two YouGov surveys, conducted between 23 and 27 March 2026, with official crime data. Respondents estimated that 30% of Londoners had been victims of crime in the previous year, while the Office for National Statistics recorded 12.2%. The same survey found 60% of people believed residents feel unsafe after dark, although the actual figure is 37%.
Actual crime trends
The study also showed half of those surveyed thought London led the nation in violent crime, yet police‑recorded figures indicate the city had the lowest violent‑crime rate of any English region in the year to September 2025. Overall crime levels fell by 1.4% between 2019 and 2025, contrary to the 62% of respondents who believed they had risen.
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Mayor’s response and funding
Sir Sadiq Khan said the research “is a sad indictment of the volume of misinformation and organised disinformation being peddled against our capital”, as reported by BBC London. He added that the £7 million scheme will showcase London’s strengths and counter false online narratives. The mayor also highlighted recent police successes, such as a 13 000‑phone‑theft reduction after a targeted operation.
This latest research from King's College is a sad indictment of the volume of misinformation and organised disinformation being peddled against our capital.
Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
What residents can do
The mayor’s team advises Londoners to consult official crime dashboards and to report false claims on social platforms. The GLA will publish regular updates on the campaign’s progress, and community groups are invited to contribute local safety information to the new online portal.
Questions this report answers
+How many Londoners think they have been victims of crime?
The King’s College survey found 30% of respondents believed they had experienced a crime in the year to September 2025, while official ONS figures show the true proportion is 12.2%.
+What proportion of residents actually feel unsafe walking alone after dark?
Official data indicate 37% of Londoners say they do not feel safe walking alone after dark, compared with the 60% that respondents thought felt unsafe.
+How much money is the mayor allocating to the online disinformation campaign?
The mayor announced a £7 million programme in June 2026 to counter false online narratives about London’s safety, as reported by BBC London.
+What did the study find about London’s violent‑crime rate compared with other regions?
Police‑recorded data showed London had the lowest violent‑crime rate of any English region in the year to September 2025, despite half of survey participants believing it was the highest.
News London Desk
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