Talk host Mike Graham rages at crime in Sadiq Khan's London after car break-in; says Trump is right about the mayor

A British talk-show host said London has become a “bereft” city after his Maserati was broken into in an NCP car park that is supposed to have 24/7 security patrols. Mike Graham, 65, recounted the incident yesterday evening on his breakfast program, saying the rear windscreen was smashed while his car was parked on a level of the facility on which he normally relies. He told listeners that the thieves did not appear to take much from the car, but a backseat stash of an old ski jacket and several bottles of wine were left behind as the culprits fled. Graham reported that the break-in occurred despite assurances from the car-park operators that it was monitored, and he said the incident had shaken his confidence in London’s safety landscape.

Graham described how he discovered the damage when he returned to his Maserati, which he keeps in the city as part of a routine that involves walking the dogs and managing daily commitments. He noted that he had heard a suspicious noise from the back of the car, but only realized what had happened after pulling into the space. He said the rebels targeted items in the back of the vehicle, choosing not to steal the wine but focusing on other belongings, including the jacket he uses for dog walks. He added that there were other items in the back seat, including a raincoat, that were left untouched. He expressed frustration at the missed opportunity for a more valuable haul and argued that the incident should have prompted a stronger police response, noting that those managing the car park had previously told him there is a known individual who “goes around all the NCP car parks” and breaks into vehicles when something is visible in the back.

Graham used the incident to escalate his criticism of London’s leadership, arguing that the capital has deteriorated under Mayor Sadiq Khan. He told listeners that London is “a bereft city” and criticized Khan for portraying London as the world-class metropolis he believes it should be. The broadcaster rejected arguments from some observers who point to crime statistics, insisting in strong terms that crime has risen and that the city’s safety is deteriorating. He described decades of residing in the capital as giving him a long view on crime trends and rejected the idea that the problem is overstated by critics who seek to frame it as part of a political debate rather than a public safety issue.

The incident and Graham’s reaction come amid a broader debate over crime in London, where knife offenses have risen sharply in recent years. Earlier this summer, a report from the Policy Exchange highlighted that knife offences in London have increased by 86 percent over the past decade, and that knife crime in the West End is disproportionately high relative to other parts of the capital. The report, authored by former Scotland Yard detective chief inspector David Spencer, argued that the city faces a “knife crime, robbery and street theft epidemic” and urged a crime-fighting-first approach to reverse the trend. The report also noted that only a small fraction of robberies and thefts from persons in London were solved last year.

The debate over London’s crime afoot as President Donald Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he again criticized Europe’s leadership and immigration policies. In remarks widely circulated from the event, Trump described London as having a “terrible mayor” and suggested that the city’s direction indicates it may adopt policies reminiscent of Sharia law. He warned that such developments could threaten Western Europe if not addressed. The administration in Khan’s office quickly pushed back, saying London remains among the world’s safest major cities and contrasting London’s crime rates with those of the United States. They emphasized that London’s homicide rate stood at about 9.8 per million residents, compared with a rate of roughly 68 per million in the United States, and noted that Sharia law has no legal jurisdiction in England, with Sharia councils operating without statutory authority.

The feud between Trump and Khan has intensified in recent weeks. Khan’s office has repeatedly rejected Trump’s characterizations, insisting that London is safer than many comparably sized U.S. cities and that the mayor remains focused on elevating public safety and supporting communities. Trump’s comments at the UN General Assembly aligned with a broader pattern of criticism directed at Khan, who is London’s first Muslim mayor and has been a frequent target of political attacks from conservative voices abroad as well as at home. The two figures have sparred over immigration policy, policing, and the future of London’s urban governance, a debate that has intensified as the city continues to confront a wake of crime data and public safety concerns.

In reviewing the broader context, observers note that crime in London has persisted as a political flashpoint. Proponents of tougher crime-fighting measures argue that more resources for policing, faster investigations, and community-based strategies are essential to reversing crime trends. Critics contend that framing crime as a reflection of leadership misses broader social and economic drivers that influence urban safety. The most recent data indicate that while London’s homicide rate remains significantly lower than the U.S. figure on a per-capita basis, other crime categories, including theft and knife crime, have created a perceived sense of insecurity for residents and visitors. City officials emphasize that the metropolitan area continues to pursue safety initiatives and to publish data aimed at increasing transparency for residents and tourists alike.

The incident involving Graham, the Trump-Khan exchange, and the ongoing crime statistics illustrate the complexity of London’s current safety narrative. As Londoners navigate a city that remains a global hub for business, culture, and tourism, they confront the tension between headlines about crime and the day-to-day experience of residents who move through busy neighborhoods, parks, and transit systems. The extent to which policy decisions at City Hall and policing strategies will affect crime trends in the near term remains a central question for policymakers, advocates, and the public alike.