Amir Khan says he 'doesn't feel safe in London' and slams Mayor after £72k watch mugging

21 April 2022, 17:34 | Updated: 21 April 2022, 18:30

khan
Amir Khan says he 'doesn't feel safe in London' and slams Mayor after mugging. Picture: Alamy

By Liam Gould

Boxer Amir Khan has slammed the London Mayor Sadiq Khan over the capital's spiralling crime rate after he was mugged at gunpoint for his £72,000 watch.

The former world champion boxer, 35, has said he doesn't feel safe in London anymore after he was left 'fearing for his life' during a mugging in East London.

Khan told the Daily Mail: "London is not a place I want to live in anymore. Our plan to move there is not happening.

"I'm not sure if I even want to return to London for the foreseeable future because of increasing crime, terrible traffic and it’s not safe. This is no place for me and my family."

The incident occurred while Khan was out with his wife Faryal in East London. A number of masked thugs approached the couple and pointed a gun in the face of Khan.

They then demanded his Franck Muller Vanguard Chronograph watch - which is studded with 719 diamonds - and fled the scene.

After the incident, Khan tweeted: "Just had my watch taken off me at gun point in East London, Leyton.

"I crossed the road with Faryal, luckily she was few steps behind me. Two men ran to me, he asked for my watch whist having a gun pointed in my face.

"The main thing is we're both safe."

Read More: Amir Khan robbed of his £72,000 watch at gunpoint in east London

Scotland Yard said: "Police were called at 9.15pm on Monday, April 18 to High Road, Leyton.

"A man aged in his 30s is alleged to have been approached by two males who threatened him with a firearm before stealing his watch and fleeing.

"There were no reports of any shots fired or any injuries. Police responded and conducted an area search.

"At this very early stage there have been no arrests. An investigation has begun and police are following a number of enquiries."

The 35-year old also commented on the performance of London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

"Mayor Khan needs to pull his finger out and tackle the increasing levels of gun and knife crime. He's making the city unliveable. You can't drive anywhere, traffic is horrendous and there's no quality of life," he said.

He added: "It’s disgusting what is happening in London and what happened to me. Sadiq Khan is doing a terrible job and this huge increase in gun and knife crime is happening under his watch. It's absolutely disgraceful."

Khan revealed he had planned on moving to the capital with his family, but since the robbery has changed his mind.

He had planned to move for boxing and television opportunities.

The former WBA and IBF light-welterweight champion was beaten by fellow Briton Kell Brook via a sixth-round stoppage in Manchester in February.

That was the sixth defeat of a professional career featuring 34 wins, 21 by knockout.

Khan expressed his disbelief at the crime in the capital and is saddened by the decline in safety.

"You don’t expect to be robbed at gun point, not in London. It breaks my heart to see what is happening in the city."

For the full interview, see: 'Sadiq Khan needs to pull his finger out...He's making the city unliveable': Amir Khan slams London Mayor for 'failing to tackle crime' after he was robbed at gunpoint for £70k watch

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
Breaking News

Lionesses crush the Netherlands 4-0 as Euros dream back on track

Author Raynor Winn of The Salt Path and her husband Moth Winn.

Salt Path author left 'devastated' as she blasts 'vile' claims her husband's diagnosis was fabricated

Former PE teacher Bronwen James, 29, leaves Salisbury Magistrates' Court.

Former PE teacher appears in court charged with slew of sexual offences against children

PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL-CONFLICT-GAZA

40 Palestinians, including 10 children, killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza - as mediators race to sign ceasefire deal

A young boy smiling at the camera

Five-year-old schoolboy died after ‘accidental exposure to cow’s milk protein’

Hassan Jhangur, 25, has faced a trial at Sheffield Crown Court after he hit five people with his Seat Ibiza.

Driver, 25, found guilty of murder after ploughing into brawl and stabbing brother-in-law at sister's wedding

Laurent Mekies at Silverstone, which ended up being his final race in charge of Racing Bulls

Who will replace Christian Horner at Red Bull?

Grant Shapps wearing a suit

Man accused of assisting Russia ‘planned to pass on Grant Shapps information’

Andy Murray lost to Rafael Nadal in 2010

What was Britain’s worst Wimbledon ever?

Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Brazil

Football manager Carlo Ancelotti sentenced to one-year behind bars for tax fraud

John Brown

Grandson fatally beat up frail grandad then went to bar where he glassed customer and assaulted staff, court hears

The exterior of Orio al Serio International Airport

Plane passengers told 'don't look out windows' after man sucked into engine

A 12-year-old boy died in a fire at a flat in Lewisham

Boy, 12, dies in fire at flat in south-east London as witnesses tell of home catching fire 'like a tinderbox'

Republic presidential nominee Donald Trump holds a press conference on the 9th hole tee, with his family members Don, Eric and Ivanka, at his Trump Turnberry Golf Course, in Turnberry, Scotland, on 24 June 2016.

Plans being drawn up for potential Donald Trump visit to Scotland in 'coming weeks'

Residents look at floral tributes for the victims of a deadly knife attack in Southport, northwest England, on July 31, 2024

‘Our girls deserve an apology’: Devastated parents of Southport survivors tell inquiry how they are still suffering

Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9 died in the attack

Southport killer’s brother ‘to attend inquiry’ after family moved to secret location - as survivors tell their stories