👮 London has fewer murders than in over 20 years

• London recorded 70 murders during the first nine months of 2025, the lowest number since monthly measurements began in 2003.
• Knife crime decreased by 1,154 cases over 12 months to August 2025, a reduction of seven percent.
• Hospital admissions for knife injuries among people under 25 fell by 10 percent over 12 months to June 2025.

Historically low murder rates

Between January 1 and September 30, 2025, 70 murders occurred in London. This is fewer than during the same period in any year since monthly measurements began in 2003. The number of murders decreased by 16 percent compared to the same period last year.

In 2024, the lowest number of murders of people under 25 in over two decades was recorded. The figures for 2025 show a 50 percent reduction from last year's 22-year low. The number of teenage murders is the lowest since 2012.

Knife crime continues to decline

Over 12 months to August 2025, knife crimes in London decreased by 1,154 cases, representing a reduction of seven percent. Hospital admissions for knife injuries among people under 25 fell by 10 percent over 12 months to June 2025.

Violent crimes leading to injury have decreased in all 32 London boroughs over the past 12 months. According to the Office for National Statistics, residents of London are on average less likely to be victims of violence with injury offences than in the rest of England and Wales. London's overall murder rate is lower than in Paris, Brussels, Berlin and Madrid.

Prevention work delivers results

London's Violence Reduction Unit, the first of its kind in the country, has reached more than 450,000 young Londoners with preventive activities. The unit invests in youth work and mentoring, and provides access to more youth clubs in areas where the need is greatest.

Youth workers placed in police custody suites have led to almost 80 percent of young people up to 18 not reoffending over the following 12 months. Proven reoffending has decreased by more than five percentage points in London since 2016 and is more than four percentage points lower than the national average.

Other crimes also decreasing

During the first quarter of the financial year 2025/26, residential burglary decreased by 10 percent compared to the same period in 2024/25. Theft from person decreased by 13 percent and personal robbery by 13 percent.

The reduction follows increased investment in visible policing in residential areas. The number of police officers on patrol in the West End has increased by 50 percent. An additional 90 police officers work in new or enhanced town center teams at high-crime locations, focusing on tackling shoplifting, antisocial behavior and phone robbery.

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