London Deputy Mayor for Policing steps down

Sophie Linden, London's Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, is to step down from her role.

She has served since Sadiq Khan was first elected in 2016.

She will leave City Hall to take up a new role as a senior adviser to Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Shabana Mahmood MP.

According to the Mayor's office, during her eight years in the position, London has seen a reduction in homicides, gun crime, burglary and the number of young people being injured with knives. City Hall has also provided over £1.1bn of investment in policing delivering 1,300 additional police officers to London’s streets.

Her successor is due to be announced in due course.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I want to pay tribute to the exceptional service that Sophie Linden has given to London during the last eight years.

“In the context of huge challenges facing the Met, particularly around funding, Sophie has worked hard to ensure that in London we’re both tough on crime but also tackling its complex causes head on, while putting the Met on a path to fundamental reform.
 
“Nothing is more important to me than keeping Londoners safe and it has been an honour to work alongside Sophie as we continue to invest record amounts in the police and address the deep-rooted cultural problems that the force faces so it can regain the trust of Londoners and help us build a safer London for everyone.”

Sophie Linden said: “It has been a huge privilege to serve the capital as Deputy Mayor for the last eight years. I'm proud of the progress we have made by being tough on crime and its complex causes, working with communities, key partners and the police, to build a safer London for all.

“Policing in London is far more diverse, transparent and accountable than when I started. Of course, there is still a lot more to do but I am pleased to have helped chart a new course – which will work to deliver better performance, accountability and crucially work to rebuild the confidence and trust all London’s communities have in the Met.”