A recent study by the Policy Institute at King's College London has found that Londoners are far less likely to be victims of crime than the general public believes. The research, part of the institute's "Mistaken Britain" series, shows that half of the population incorrectly thinks London is the worst region in the UK for violent crime. The study, based on surveys of over 6,000 adults, also revealed that people greatly overestimate the Muslim population in London, guessing an average of 35 per cent when the actual figure is 15 per cent. The study challenges the "London in decline" narrative, which paints the city as dangerous and crime-ridden. This view has been promoted by far-right figures like Tommy Robinson, as well as by public figures such as Elon Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump, who have made exaggerated claims about the city's safety. However, the study's director, Professor Bobby Duffy, said these portrayals are overly negative and do not reflect the actual conditions in London. Participants in the survey overestimated the crime rate, with an average guess that 30 per cent of Londoners had experienced a crime in the past year, compared to the true figure of 12.2 per cent. London has the lowest violent crime rates in England and Wales, yet half of those surveyed believed it had the highest. However, the public did accurately predict increases in certain crimes, such as shoplifting and theft from individuals, which have both more than doubled. Similarly, 58 per cent of the public correctly identified increases in sexual offenses and violence against individuals. The study found that perceptions of crime and London's demographics are sharply divided along political lines. Supporters of Reform UK had the most inaccurate views, estimating that up to half of London's population is Muslim. In contrast, supporters of the Green Party and Labour overestimated the number of white British people living in London. Meanwhile, research by the Greater London Authority found that "London in decline" rhetoric has increased by 150-200 per cent, with migration-related posts referencing London rising by over 350 per cent. Callum Hood of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate noted that far-right figures have been using AI-generated images to spread this narrative, especially since Sadiq Khan became mayor. In response, Khan announced a £7 million campaign to combat misinformation and hate speech on social media. Hood said the research highlights how these narratives can influence people's beliefs, even when they are based on false information.