Met Police downgraded murderer Simon Levy’s risk before two women killed

The Metropolitan Police downgraded the risk posed by convicted sex offender Simon Levy before he murdered two women and raped a third in London last year. Levy, 40, was convicted at the Old Bailey of the murders of Carmenza Valencia Trujillo, 54, and Sheryl Wilkins, 39, as well as the violent rape of another woman in a car park.

The force admitted to the BBC that Sheryl Wilkins’ life could have been saved. A spokesperson said the Met had apologised to her family. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating the decision to reduce Levy’s risk classification after his release from prison in 2024.

Failures in monitoring and investigations

Levy was under Met Police monitoring when he carried out the attacks. Despite being on bail for sexual assaults on public transport, he was freed multiple times by police and courts. The Met closed an investigation into a rape he committed in January 2025, even though he could have been identified.

Carmenza Valencia Trujillo’s death in March 2025 was not initially classified as murder. The case was not passed to specialist homicide detectives until after Levy killed Sheryl Wilkins in May 2025. The Met took three years to charge Levy with the sexual assault of a prison officer, with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) also criticised for delays.

British Transport Police (BTP) took over six months to charge Levy for sexual assaults on trains, despite video evidence of an attack. Det Ch Supt Pete Fulton, from BTP, told the BBC the delay was due to "incompetence" by two officers, who have since been moved to other roles.

Stolen travel card returned

Both the Met and BTP returned a stolen travel card to Levy, which allowed him to travel without paying. The card was used during the commission of his crimes, including the murder of Carmenza Valencia Trujillo. The Met and BTP have not explained why the card was returned.

Systemic scrutiny

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Kevin Southworth, from the Met, described the case as a "collective system failure" and a "tragedy beyond words". The CPS apologised for "shortcomings" in its attempts to have Levy remanded in custody. Levy’s case has reignited criticism of the Met’s handling of violence against women, following high-profile failures such as the murders of Sarah Everard and Bibaa Henry.

Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has repeatedly rejected the formal finding by Baroness Louise Casey that the force is institutionally sexist and misogynistic. Levy’s case is expected to prompt further scrutiny of that position.

What happens next

The IOPC is investigating the Met’s decision to downgrade Levy’s risk classification. The force has not confirmed a timeline for the investigation’s completion. Levy is due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on 12 September 2025. The CPS has not announced any further action regarding its handling of the case.