Newly released figures from the Metropolitan Police reveal a significant milestone for public safety in the capital: the number of homicides in London has fallen to its lowest point in over a decade.
A Decade-Low in Fatal Violence
According to the data, there were 97 homicides recorded in London during 2025. This represents an 11% decrease from the 109 recorded in 2024. The last time the figure was this low was eleven years ago, in 2014, when 95 homicides were recorded.
Perhaps even more telling is the homicide rate per capita. Despite London's population growth over the last ten years, 2025 saw the lowest rate on record at 1.1 per 100,000 people. This places the capital favourably against other global cities, with the Met noting rates of 2.8 in New York, 3.2 in Berlin, and 1.6 in Paris per 100,000.
Attributing the Decline: Policing and Prevention
Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley directly linked the record-low figures to intensive police work. He cited the arrest of 1,000 more offenders each month, the use of innovative technology like live facial recognition, and targeted action against dangerous gangs and predatory individuals.
"The results speak for themselves: fewer lives lost, fewer families shattered," Sir Mark stated. He also pushed back against critics, writing in The Times that "the progress we are making is saving lives" and accusing some commentators of ignoring factual data in favour of a misleading narrative.
On the preventative side, the Mayor of London's Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), established in 2019, is credited with playing a key role. The VRU has delivered 550,000 interventions aimed at steering young people away from gang involvement.
Mayor Sadiq Khan commented, "It’s clear that our sustained focus on being both tough on crime and tough on the complex causes of crime is working."
National Trend and Youth Violence Reduction
The positive trend in London mirrors a national decline. The Office for National Statistics reported that 518 homicides were recorded across England and Wales in the year to June 2025, a 6% drop and the lowest number since current recording methods began in 2003.
Significantly, the Met's efforts appear to be having a profound impact on youth violence. The force reported the fewest number of homicide victims under the age of 25 this century. There has been a dramatic 73% decrease in teenage victims since 2021, falling from 30 to just eight in 2025.
The data release coincided with a vetting review that identified 131 Met officers and staff, including two serial rapists, who committed crimes or misconduct after inadequate checks. The Met stated it has since taken action to tighten vetting standards and clean up the workforce. Despite this, the force reports that public confidence is rising, with 81% of Londoners rating its local performance as good or fair.
