Knife-related deaths in London have fallen to their lowest level since Sir Sadiq Khan became Mayor, according to a fresh analysis of official crime statistics.
A Decade-Low in Fatal Stabbings
The data reveals a significant milestone: the 12-month rolling count for homicides involving knives or sharp instruments reached 54 this May. This figure was last seen in September 2015, during Boris Johnson's tenure as Mayor.
Furthermore, the statistics show particularly encouraging progress in protecting younger Londoners. This June's rolling total recorded just eight teenage knife deaths, a number not seen since December 2014. The count for under-25s stabbed to death also fell to its lowest point since January 2014.
Mixed Picture on Overall Knife Crime
Despite the positive trend in fatalities, the capital continues to face challenges. London remains the worst area in England and Wales for overall knife offences, with a rate of 172 per 100,000 people between July 2024 and June 2025.
Cleveland and the West Midlands followed as the next most affected regions. The total number of recorded knife crimes across the capital has been creeping back towards its 2019 peak of 15,600 incidents, standing at 15,000 in the 2023-24 period.
Met Police Solving More Cases
In a promising development, the Metropolitan Police's success rate in solving knife crime has shown marked improvement. The force's 'positive outcome' rate—where a suspect is identified and faces justice—has doubled compared to last year, now standing at around 16 per cent.
While this is still half the rate seen in the 2015-16 financial year, it represents significant progress and brings the force closer to its performance during the pandemic years.
Analysing how knives are used in offences reveals another nuanced trend. The monthly average of incidents where knives were used to injure someone has fallen to 316, down from a peak of 392 in 2017/18. However, the use of knives to threaten people has generally trended upwards.
Commenting on the findings, Mayor Sadiq Khan stated: "We're making good progress, but there's clearly much more to do. That's why there will be no let-up in our city-wide effort to further reduce serious violence and protect more Londoners as we continue building a safer London for everyone."
