Mayor urged to reconsider and reinstate online crime alert platform

The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) ceased funding the Online Watch Link (OWL) Crime Alert Platform from 31^st October 2024.

Over the past 10 years, OWL has been used by 18 London boroughs, enabling local police, Neighbourhood Watch coordinators, and partner agencies to send urgent crime alerts and community safety information directly to residents and businesses.

The platform has helped to resolve £8.3 million worth of crime and prevent a further £10 million of crime in just one borough over a five-year period.

That is why the London Assembly has today urged the Mayor to reconsider the decision to cease funding for OWL, or ensure an equivalent or improved service, that covers all of London, is provided.

Andrew Boff AM, who proposed the motion, said:

“18 boroughs rely on the OWL service to co-ordinate between local police, partner agencies, and neighbourhood watch groups.

“At a time when Londoners are increasingly concerned about crime in our city and the need to keep the public safe, the withdraw of funding for this service has alarmed residents.

“We know from the data that trust in the Met is on average higher in boroughs that use OWL, and as the Mayor seeks to support the implementation of the Met for London Plan it is initiatives like this that will be vital to do so.

“With the support of the Assembly today we have sent a clear message: reconsider the decision to cease the funding for OWL, and focus on keeping Londoners safe from the scourge of crime.”

The full text of the motion is:

This Assembly wishes to express its concern regarding the decision by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) to cease funding for the OWL Crime Alert Platform (Online Watch Link), effective from 31st October 2024.

Over the past 10 years, OWL has been a vital resource for 18 London boroughs, enabling local police, Neighbourhood Watch coordinators, and partner agencies to send urgent crime alerts and community safety information directly to residents and businesses. It has seen over 1,700 Metropolitan Police officers trained in its use, generating 14,000 alerts annually and facilitating 6 million emails and 12 million push notifications each year. The platform has helped to resolve £8.3 million worth of crime and prevent a further £10 million of crime in just one borough over a five-year period.

This Assembly notes that OWL has been a trusted and effective source of local intelligence and reassurance for Londoners. MOPAC’s own Trust & Confidence survey of December 2023 showed that 75% of the boroughs using OWL reported above-average levels of trust in the Metropolitan Police Service, with boroughs ranked #1, #2, and #4 for highest public trust all using OWL.

This Assembly regrets the decision to terminate funding for OWL, particularly at a time when the Metropolitan Police is facing significant recruitment challenges and budget pressures. With officer recruitment falling short of targets and rising crime concerns in London, the loss of a cost-effective and reliable platform such as OWL is likely to have a detrimental impact on public safety and police-community relations.

This Assembly calls on the Mayor, as London’s Police and Crime Commissioner, to urgently reconsider this decision or ensure an equivalent or improved service, that covers all of London, is provided. Further, this Assembly urges the Metropolitan Police Service to explore all funding options to maintain this vital crime prevention and public trust resource, including contributions from local borough councils, Neighbourhood Watch groups, and other potential partners.

The meeting can be viewed via webcast or YouTube.

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