England cricket legend Kevin Pietersen removes expensive watch and wedding ring for trip into London for fear of being mugged in barb at Mayor Sadiq Khan

England cricket legend Kevin Pietersen has aimed a barb at London's mayor Sadiq Khan as he took off his expensive watch and wedding ring for a trip to the capital.

The former Test captain appeared to fear being mugged in an online taunt about crime levels in London - directly addressing Mr Khan.

Ex-international Pietersen revealed on X, formerly Twitter, he was removing any expensive jewellery - including his wedding ring - as he prepared to visit London.

He shared a photo of his hand this morning, accompanied by the words: 'Gotta go into London today. No watch and a flimsy piece of plastic on my wedding finger. Well done, @Sadiq Khan!'

Pietersen, who played 104 Test matches for England and helped the side win the T20 World Cup in 2010, received both praise and mockery for this morning's message.

Comments in response included 'Congratulations', 'London has fallen', 'Safety first - got it' and 'Is the situation that bad in London?'

Another X user wrote: 'I do the same. Never wear a nice watch in London, or any city for that matter to be honest.' 

Further responses to South African-born Pietersen were 'Strange tweet', 'Coward', 'Grow up' and 'Scared of our own shadow too?'

He was also told: 'Sorry KP this is wrong on all counts. I have no issues in London - I assume you’ve just become a spokesperson for the Reform party.'

Another poster said: 'I've been to London hundreds if not thousands of times and never felt unsafe and never had to take off watch or rings.

'This is a pretty pathetic tweet Kevin. Have always enjoyed the city and always will.' 

Mr Khan's team has been contacted for comment.

Theft, which includes pick-pocketing and shoplifting, makes up about 60 per cent of crime in the West End, according to the Heart of London Business Alliance.

Officer Metropolitan Police data shows 'theft from a person' offences - which includes stealing watches, handbags and mobile phones - rose by 27 per cent last year across the capital compared to the previous 12 months.

There were 72,756 of those crimes reported in the year to 2023, up from 57,468 in 2022.

And London's Westminster district - which includes well-heeled Mayfair - saw such crimes leap by an above-average 40 per cent, with 25,650 rather than 18,310.

High-profile businessman Devin Narang recently used a summit with Labour's shadow foreign secretary David Lammy to warn Indian executives were putting off visiting London due to their fears about falling victim to muggers.

Other figures earlier this year revealed more teenage homicides were recorded in London in 2023 than in 2022 - with 21 killed compared to 14 the year before.

Among those who died, 18 were stabbed, two were shot and one was killed after his moped was struck by a car - though the total death toll was lower than the peak of 30 in 2021.

City Hall Conservatives have accused Mr Khan of refusing to provide £70million to fund additional Met Police reforms despite finding £30million for rail workers.

The mayor has consistently accused the Government of failing to provide funding for frontline policing in the capital.