Almost 100 murder suspects arrested by the Metropolitan Police over the past two years were released without conditions limiting their behaviour.

The force also released more than 800 rape suspects between April 2017 and March this year.

Releases without conditions – known as “release under investigation” – have risen rapidly following a change in the law two years ago.

Suspects are now automatically released without conditions unless police can show that bail terms are necessary.

London Assembly member Susan Hall, a Conservative member of the police and crime committee, requested the figures from the Mayor of London – and criticised him for not monitoring the impact of the change.

She said: “Sadiq Khan really has taken his eye off the ball if potential murderers and rapists are freely walking around London, with no restrictions whatsoever.”

She added: “The Mayor urgently needs to review the Met’s decision to release people charged with such serious crimes with no conditions.

“The last thing London needs is for the Met to be releasing the few criminals our soft-on-crime Mayor catches.” 

As well as murder and rape suspects, the Met has released 1,226 burglary suspects, 1,792 robbery suspects, and almost 7,000 people accused of violent crimes.

It is not clear how many suspects go on to commit offences after their release – but in a written statement, the Mayor of London admitted that “a small portion” will go on to offend again.

A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan stressed the new law was implemented nationally by the Home Office. 

He said: “The Mayor is aware of the concerns about the Government’s decision to introduce this, which is why he asked his Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime to keep its use under close scrutiny.”

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said victims’ groups and others in the justice system have raised concerns about the impact of the new law. 

He said: “The Met are continuing to work with the Home Office, National Police Chiefs Council, the College of Policing and other police forces in order to establish best practice.”