Violence Reduction Efforts Deliver Safest Year in Decades

Homicides fell to a record low in the UK capital in 2025, with killings dropping to their lowest level per person since records began after a sustained crackdown on serious violence.

“Fewer lives lost and fewer families shattered shows that this work is making a real difference,” said Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.

There were 97 homicides in 2025, an 11% fall from the previous year, bringing the rate down to 1.1 per 100,000 people despite strong population growth. Serious violence causing injury fell by 20%, teenage homicide dropped to just eight cases, and gun discharges are less than half their level seven years ago. The progress reflects a combined strategy of targeted policing and prevention, including over 550,000 youth interventions, 1,000 extra arrests each month, and the dismantling of more than 1,600 gang networks, helping make communities safer across the city.