Homicides in London have fallen to their lowest level in more than a decade, according to new data released by the Metropolitan Police. The figures reveal a significant drop in violent deaths across the capital, marking a notable shift in the city's crime landscape.
Record Low Numbers for the Capital
The Met Police confirmed that 97 homicides were recorded in London during 2025. This represents an 11% decrease from the 109 killings reported in 2024. The 2025 total is the lowest annual figure documented since 2014, when 95 homicides were recorded.
This positive trend is reflected nationally. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a 6% fall in homicides across England and Wales over a 12-month period. With 518 homicides recorded in the year to June 2025, the national figure is at its lowest since current reporting methods began in 2003, and is 27% below the pre-pandemic total of 710 in 2019/20.
Perhaps most strikingly, London's homicide rate per capita has reached a record low of 1.1 per 100,000 people. The Met was keen to highlight that this rate is now lower than other major global cities, including New York (2.8), Berlin (3.2), and Paris (1.6).
Police Strategy and Political Disputes
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley attributed the "record‑low homicide rate" to "relentless work" by the force. He pointed to a strategy involving 1,000 more arrests each month, the use of advanced technology like live facial recognition, and "precise action" against gangs, organised crime networks, and predatory offenders targeting women and children.
"The results speak for themselves: fewer lives lost, fewer families shattered," Sir Mark stated.
The announcement comes weeks after former US President Donald Trump claimed crime in London was "crazy" and alleged police avoided patrolling certain areas—claims Sir Mark Rowley previously dismissed as "complete nonsense." Trump, who has a long-running feud with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, had told GB News in November that the mayor was "a disaster" and that people were being stabbed "in the ass or worse."
Focus on Youth Violence Shows Dramatic Results
The Met emphasised that its work has been particularly effective in reducing violence among young people. The force reported the fewest number of homicide victims aged under 25 this century. There has been a dramatic 73% decrease in teenage victims since 2021, with the number falling from 30 to just eight in 2025.
These efforts are believed to have been supported by the Mayor of London's Violence Reduction Unit, established in 2019. The unit has delivered over 550,000 interventions aimed at preventing young people from being drawn into gang activity.
Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "Many people have been trying to talk London down, but the evidence tells a very different story. It's clear that our sustained focus on being both tough on crime and tough on the complex causes of crime is working."
The news coincides with a reported rise in public confidence in policing, with 81% of Londoners rating the Met as doing a good or fair job locally. However, it follows a recent vetting review which found that 131 officers and staff, including two serial rapists, committed crimes or misconduct after not being properly vetted. The Met stated it has taken action to tighten vetting standards and clean up the workforce.
