London’s homicide rate last year plummeted to its lowest point in over a decade, new figures from the Metropolitan Police show, a development that underscores a broader shift in violent crime trends in the UK capital. According to official data, 97 homicides were recorded in London in 2025, a drop of 11% from the 109 recorded in 2024 and the lowest total since 2014, when 95 killings were logged. The downward trajectory places London’s homicide rate at just 1.1 per 100,000 residents, the lowest per capita measurement on record despite the city’s rapid population growth, police said.
The numbers represent a stark contrast with many other global cities. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley highlighted that London’s homicide rate is now significantly lower than comparable figures in major metropolitan areas such as New York, Berlin and Paris, where homicide rates remain higher per 100,000 people. He described the progress as “extraordinary” and credited intensive policing, technological innovation, and targeted strategies against violent offenders for driving down serious violence.
Rowley pointed to a series of operational measures that have helped reduce killings in the capital, including the arrest of an additional 1,000 offenders each month, the use of live facial recognition technology to solve more cases, and focused action against dangerous gangs and organised criminals. He said these efforts have contributed not only to fewer homicides but also to higher rates of positive outcomes in investigations, with 95% of homicide cases resulting in a successful prosecution.
A key part of London’s approach has been the work of the Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), established in 2019 to address the root causes of violent crime. The unit has delivered extensive interventions aimed at steering young people away from gang involvement and violent behaviour. London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said the VRU’s preventive efforts, combined with sustained policing and community engagement, are having a tangible effect, particularly among younger demographics.
The impact on youth violence is especially notable. Homicides involving people under the age of 25 fell sharply in 2025, with just eight teenage victims recorded—a 73% decrease since 2021 and the lowest tally this century. Police data also show a significant reduction in violent incidents overall, with injuries from serious violence down and firearm discharges dropping to less than half their levels from seven years ago.
Despite the overall progress, authorities acknowledge ongoing challenges. A vetting review published this week revealed that 131 Metropolitan Police officers and staff were found to have committed crimes or misconduct because of improper background checks during a large recruitment drive between 2019 and 2023, prompting efforts to tighten standards and rebuild public trust.
Nevertheless, the latest figures mark a significant achievement for London’s safety profile, countering persistent narratives that portray the city as increasingly violent. Both police leaders and civic officials maintain that while every homicide is one too many, the scale of the recent reductions suggests that focused enforcement, preventative work and strategic use of technology are delivering results in the capital’s fight against serious crime.
