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Mina Smallman, whose daughters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman were murdered in north London in 2020, has accused the Metropolitan Police of deciding “who matters” when investigating violence against women.
Her comments came after the sentencing of serial offender Simon Levy, who was given a whole-life prison sentence for murdering two women. Levy had also been convicted of sexually assaulting 11 women across London between 2023 and 2025.
Speaking about one of Levy’s victims, Smallman said the woman was not taken seriously because she was a sex worker. She claimed police failed to properly investigate her death until Levy killed another victim, a mother of four.
“How ridiculous is that. Once again, the Met is deciding who matters,” Smallman said. “Both those women’s lives were important to their families, how dare they decide that they weren’t going to look into that case.”
The case has renewed scrutiny of the Metropolitan Police and its handling of violence against women. Questions have been raised about police failings that allowed Levy to remain free before committing the murders.
Smallman said she contacted Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley after learning more about the case. She questioned how many times the force could continue apologising for mistakes without making meaningful changes.
“It becomes a joke,” she said. “The truth is, the Metropolitan Police is too big for any senior team to be able to have a hands-on understanding of the day-to-day activities of that organisation.”
She also argued that the force is struggling to change because of its size and long-standing internal problems.
“I believe that Sir Mark Rowley wants to change the Met and wants to do things differently, but they haven’t got a clue,” she said.
Smallman added that the force has become “riddled with inactivity, corruption, misogyny, racism” and lacks the resources needed to meet public expectations.
Her criticism carries particular significance because of her own family's experience. Her daughters, Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman, were murdered in a London park in June 2020. The following year, two Metropolitan Police officers were jailed after taking and sharing photographs of the sisters’ bodies in WhatsApp groups.
Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones has also expressed concern over the Levy case. She said it was “deeply concerning” that Levy was able to cause further harm after being released and that urgent answers were needed.
Authorities and police watchdogs are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the case as pressure grows on the Metropolitan Police to restore public confidence and ensure all victims are treated equally
