Homicides across England and Wales have plummeted to their lowest recorded level since statistics were first compiled, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics. The figures, covering the 12 months to September 2025, show a significant 7% annual decrease in overall killings, marking a historic low for the 21st century.
A Dramatic Decline in Knife-Related Violence
The most striking reduction has been observed in homicides involving knives or other sharp instruments, which have fallen by a substantial 23% year-on-year. This decline is part of a broader trend, with overall knife crime offences also dropping by 9% during the same period. Billy Gazard of the ONS highlighted that these reductions are supported by NHS data, which shows a corresponding decrease in hospital admissions for assaults involving sharp objects.
London's Murder Rate Reaches a Decade Low
Separate figures released by the Metropolitan Police earlier this month reveal that London has experienced its own significant improvement. The capital recorded just 97 homicides in 2025, representing an 11% decrease from the previous year and the lowest number seen in over a decade. This positive development in one of the country's largest urban areas contributes to the national picture of declining violent crime.
Contrasting Trends in Other Crime Categories
While violent crime statistics show encouraging progress, the ONS report indicates that not all categories have followed this downward trajectory. Shoplifting offences have increased by 5%, rising from 492,660 to 519,381 incidents. The number of robbery offences remained broadly stable at 82,678, suggesting that certain types of property crime continue to present challenges for law enforcement.
Government Response and Policy Initiatives
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood welcomed the overall reduction in homicides, noting that they have reached their lowest level in almost fifty years. However, she acknowledged the persistent issues with crimes like shop theft and robbery, which she described as "tearing at the fabric of communities." In response, the government has announced significant investments in policing, including plans to deploy 13,000 additional neighbourhood officers and an extra £2 billion in funding for police forces across the country.
The government has also made progress on prison capacity, creating nearly 3,000 additional prison places since taking office in July 2024, with ambitions to reach a total of 14,000. These developments come as the crime figures appear to contradict claims from some political commentators who have suggested that the UK, and London in particular, faces a growing crime problem.
Understanding the Broader Crime Landscape
The ONS statistics are compiled from two main sources: police recorded crime data and the Crime Survey for England and Wales, which captures people's personal experiences of crime. While the survey indicates relative stability in overall crime levels, the police recorded figures show clear reductions in several key violent crime categories. The ONS estimates there were approximately 1.1 million incidents of violent crime during the reporting period, ranging from threats and minor assaults to more serious offences.
This comprehensive data provides valuable insights into the evolving nature of crime across England and Wales, highlighting both areas of significant improvement and those requiring continued attention from law enforcement and policymakers.
