Mayor of London names pick for new Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime

The Mayor of London has appointed Kaya Comer-Schwartz as the city's new Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.

Kaya Comer-Schwartz has been a councillor in Islington for more than a decade and served as Council Leader for more than three years. She has previously worked as Executive Member for Community Safety and Children, Young People and Families, championing equality, public safety and community cohesion.  

Comer-Schwartz worked on the transformation of the Council’s Youth Justice Services and oversaw a £2 million investment in vital services for survivors of violence against women and girls.

The announcement comes after Sophie Linden stepped down from the roles of London’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime after eight years.

The appointment of a new Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is subject to a confirmation hearing by the London Assembly Policing and Crime Committee.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Nothing is more important to me than keeping Londoners safe. Kaya brings extensive experience to the role, working to make Londoners safer and improving trust and confidence in the police, which we know leads to reductions in violence and crime.

“I’m pleased to appoint Kaya Comer-Schwartz as London’s new Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime and I’m confident that she will help us to continue reforming the police and deliver a safer London for everyone.”

Kaya Comer-Schwartz said: “I’m thrilled to have been proposed as London’s new Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.

“From dealing with the aftermath of the Finsbury Park terror attack to empowering communities and the police to stand together following the far-right riots this summer, I am proud to have championed justice, community cohesion and public safety throughout my career.

“I am excited about the prospect of bringing my skills, knowledge and experience to the role and driving the urgent reforms needed to the police to deliver a safer and more equal London.”