Mayor Sadiq Khan's claim that mobile phone theft is behind knife crimes in London has insulted various British commentators online ahead of the New Year.
Mr Khan appeared on Sky News on Sunday to confront the ongoing issue of knife crime in the region. Mr Khan cited mobile phone theft as his main problem, although he claimed that the number has decreased recently.
“The biggest personal theft is cell phone theft. Twenty to thirty years ago, automakers succeeded in reducing theft of car stereos and theft of tomtoms from cars by designing to eliminate that possibility. We know,” Khan said.
When asked specifically about knife crime, Mr Khan said: “It's because people are trying to steal mobile phones.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan spoke about the crime on Sky News. (Screenshot from Sky News)
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Social media users reacted to Khan's appearance and explanation.
“After a few softball questions about #New Year2024, Sadiq Khan was under scrutiny for the alarming rise in knife and gun crime in London. Even Sly News is on drugs that are useless. I'm tired of it! I don't think he expected that,'' commentator Lee Harris wrote.
Fellow political commentator Alex Armstrong said: “Just last night, on New Year's Eve, a 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death while Sadiq Khan was congratulating himself on the 'job' he had done in London. I need to go now.''
Former Mumford & Sons musician Winston Marshall asks: 'What's the difference between a mobile phone in London and one in Birmingham or Manchester? Why are mobile phones causing an increase in knife crime here? “Is this leading to a decline in the northern part of the country?” he asked.
Author and journalist Peter Lloyd wrote: “Sadiq Khan caught off guard on Sky News' #NewYears segment and skewered in London's rampant gun and knife crime. Visibly shaken. A great year for this year. Let's start!” he shouted.
“Yes, it is possible for one man to destroy a city. Did Sadiq Khan do it on purpose or is he a real fool?” Author Alexandra Marshall wrote:
Metropolitan Police data shows that general knife crime involving bodily harm has fallen by just 1% since Mr Khan took over. ((Photo credit: Karl Cote/Getty Images))
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Recent data provided by the Metropolitan Police and the Mayor's own figures show that although gun and knife crime is falling in London, it is mainly related to youth crime, such as 'knife crime involving bodily harm by under 25s'. belongs to the category of Overall, the percentage of people with injuries has decreased by only about 1% since he first took office as mayor.
Mr. Khan also explained how he is working with authorities to specifically target phone robbers.
“If we can make second-hand mobile phones useless to robbers and thieves, it means there is no temptation to do so. Enforcement is so important that we are now leveraging data to ensure that officers are targeting that segment.” Our city, as we know it, is a hotspot. This means a combination of using data to target hotspots, town centers and transport hubs, as well as working with phone manufacturers and platforms to ensure that the phones have no resale value. is. ''Khan said.
FOX News Digital has reached out to Mayor Khan's office for comment.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was working with authorities and phone companies to fight mobile phone companies. ((Photo credit: Kena Betancur/Getty Images))
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FOX News' Peter Aitken contributed to this report.
FOX News' Peter Aitken contributed to this report.
