London's homicide rate is at its lowest in more than a decade

Metropolitan Police recorded 97 homicides in London in 2025, the lowest total in over a decade, and officials say the per‑capita homicide rate has fallen to 1.1 per 100,000 residents.

London recorded its lowest number of homicides in more than a decade in 2025, according to Metropolitan Police figures. Officials including the mayor say the city now compares favourably with other western cities on homicide rates. They attribute the change to a twin approach of more focused policing and longer‑term diversion work by youth services. The drop in killings has occurred while London's population has grown, so the per‑capita risk has fallen. Key figures: - Metropolitan Police recorded 97 homicides in London in 2025, down from 153 in 2019 and 109 in 2024. - The reported homicide rate for London in 2025 was 1.1 killings per 100,000 residents, lower than figures cited for several major European and North American cities. - Homicides of people aged under 25 fell to 18 in 2025, down from a peak of 69 in 2017. - The Violence Reduction Unit, established in 2019, and related diversion work are reported to have a 90% success rate in diverting people away from crime. - Police said roughly 50% of homicides are linked to drugs and that more targeted work against organised crime and seizures of weapons have increased. - Commanders reported a racial disparity in victimisation, noting young black men are up to 12 times more likely to be victims and that all eight teenagers killed in 2025 were black. Summary: The decline in homicides has reduced the overall per‑capita risk in London and narrowed previously higher risks for young people. Undetermined at this time.