The Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) ceased funding
the Online Watch Link (OWL) Crime Alert Platform from
31st 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.
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.
Notes for Editors:
- The motion was agreed by
unanimously.
