London has recorded its lowest murder rate in more than 10 years, according to new figures released by the Metropolitan Police. Officials say the capital is now one of the safest major cities in the Western world, despite continued claims that crime is rising.
In 2025, police recorded 97 homicides across London. This marks a sharp fall from 153 killings in 2019 and 109 in 2024. A decade ago, the number stood at around 120, while in 2005 it was 181. The highest figure this century was 216 murders in 2003.
The decline has happened even as London’s population has grown significantly, rising from 8.1 million in 2010 to about 9.1 million in 2025.
Young People Far Safer Than in Previous Years
One of the most striking changes is the reduction in killings involving young people.
In 2025, there were 18 homicide victims under the age of 25, compared with a peak of 69 in 2017. The homicide rate for under-25s has dropped to 0.65 per 100,000 people, while the rate for adults is 1.1 per 100,000.
In 2017, young people were at greater risk than adults. Today, that trend has reversed, marking a major shift in youth violence patterns across the city.
London Now Safer Than Many Global Cities
When adjusted for population size, London recorded 1.1 homicides per 100,000 residents in 2025. This is lower than many major European and North American cities.
For comparison:
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Berlin: 3.2 per 100,000
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Brussels: 2.9
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Paris: 1.6
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New York City: 2.8
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Los Angeles: 5.6
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Houston: 10.5
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Philadelphia: 12.3
Police say these figures show London has a much lower risk of homicide than most large international cities.
“Public Health” Approach Credited for the Decline
London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, said the reduction proves that long-term prevention strategies are working.
He highlighted the city’s public health approach to violence, which focuses on prevention rather than punishment alone. This includes tackling poverty, improving access to education, and offering young people alternatives to crime.
A key part of this strategy is the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), launched in 2019. Youth workers based in police stations engage with young people after arrest and aim to redirect them away from criminal networks. Officials say these programmes have helped divert around 90% of participants from further offending.
Police Focus on Targeted Enforcement, Not Mass Stop and Search
Metropolitan Police Commander Paul Brogden, who leads homicide investigations, said success has come from smarter policing, not broad crackdowns.
Instead of large-scale stop and search operations, police now use targeted intelligence-led interventions. Officers focus on known offenders, organised crime groups, and drug networks, which are linked to around half of all homicides.
Police have also seized more illegal knives and firearms and improved their ability to analyse data from mobile phones, which often play a key role in modern investigations.
Cultural Shift Among Young People
Police say there has also been a noticeable cultural change at street level. Young people are increasingly aware of the dangers of gang involvement and drug exploitation.
Online activity linked to violence, including threatening drill music videos, has decreased. Officers say more young people now recognise that criminal gangs often exploit them rather than support them.
Ongoing Concerns About Racial Inequality
Despite the overall improvement, police acknowledge serious inequalities remain.
All eight teenagers murdered in London in 2025 were Black, and young Black men are still significantly more likely to be victims of homicide than other groups.
Commander Brogden said building trust with affected communities is essential. He stressed the need for better education, job opportunities, and long-term engagement to ensure progress continues.
A Decade-Long Trend, Not a Short-Term Drop
Experts say the data reflects a long-term downward trend, not a temporary dip. While challenges remain, especially around inequality and organised crime, the figures suggest London’s approach to violence reduction is producing measurable results.
Police and city leaders say continued investment in prevention, youth support, and focused enforcement will be critical to keeping homicide levels low in the years ahead.
