London’s resident pickpocket hunter, Diego Galdino, has hit back at Sadiq Khan after the Mayor of London said vigilante work did nothing to help reduce crime in the capital. Speaking after crime figures showed a 14% drop in neighbourhood offences including theft, Mr Khan praised the Metropolitan Police but told Metro that vigilantes have 'not played any role in this'.
Mr Khan said: 'I think it is important to be an active bystander as long as you don’t cause any risk to yourself. I don’t think we should is groups of vigilantes going about city.' Diego, who has hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, strongly disagreed. He said he was 'disappointed but not surprised' the Mayor did not recognise his crime-fighting efforts.
Diego's impact on pickpocketing
Diego, who gained viral fame when Metro first joined him on patrol in July last year, has since quit his day job as a delivery driver. He told Metro: 'Victims come to us, we find the pickpocket and we give all the details to the police. And since I started two years ago, I have noticed a difference.'
Patrolling Westminster’s shops, Diego has seen pickpockets flee at the sight of his iconic red spray paint. He has caught them in the act and says around 25 have been arrested, including two later deported. He said: 'I know the Mayor will never want to recognise vigilantes, and that’s okay, because I know we have had a good impact and I wish him all the best.'
Court delays and early release frustrations
Diego expressed frustration at seeing arrested pickpockets back on the streets within hours, many failing to appear for court hearings. 'As they give their name and address to police, I tell them they are giving them fake names but they don’t really listen,' he said. 'Which means they are getting away with not showing up for court hearings, as well as being released from custody after just a few hours.'
Mr Khan acknowledged the issue, saying he was 'frustrated' that early release schemes and court delays undermined crime-fighting. He said: 'I’m frustrated when I speak to victims who tell me they’ve been told it’s going to be three years before the trial happens. I’m frustrated when the police work incredibly hard to arrest somebody and they’re released the next day because of a decision made by a magistrate or judge.'
Crime reduction figures
In the year to June, neighbourhood offences including theft, personal robbery and vehicle offences fell 14%. Phone theft victims decreased by 13,000. Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: 'The figures are clear, London is safe and getting safer each year. Neighbourhood policing is the foundation of what we do and neighbourhood crime is down 14 per cent across the capital. This reduction is a reflection of a wider policing approach and the dedication and hard work of local officers, working with specialist colleagues across the Met and using cutting-edge technology to bring more criminals to justice.'
