Official statistics have revealed a significant and encouraging decline in violent crime across England and Wales, with homicide rates reaching their lowest point since modern records began. The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) paints a picture of progress in tackling some of the most serious offences.
Record Low for Homicide Figures
The total number of homicides recorded by police in the twelve months to September 2025 fell to 499, marking a notable 7% decrease from the 539 incidents recorded in the previous year. This represents the lowest overall homicide figure since the current recording system was established in 2003, indicating a sustained positive trend in reducing the most severe violent crimes.
Sharp Decline in Knife-Related Offences
A particularly striking aspect of the data is the dramatic reduction in homicides involving a knife or sharp instrument. These specific offences have plummeted by 23% year-on-year, with 174 recorded incidents. Furthermore, overall knife crime offences have also seen a substantial decrease, falling by 9% to 50,430 offences compared to 55,149 in the prior twelve-month period.
Billy Gazard of the ONS commented on the findings, stating, "Homicide and gun crime are at the lowest levels seen this century, while knife crime has also decreased." He highlighted that this trend is supported by NHS data showing a concurrent decrease in hospital admissions for assaults involving sharp objects.
London Sees Decade-Low in Killings
The positive national trend is mirrored in the capital, where separate figures from the Metropolitan Police show homicides in London dropped to their lowest level in over a decade. In 2025, London recorded 97 homicides, an 11% reduction from 109 in 2024. This is the lowest number since 2014, when 95 homicides were recorded.
Government Response and Ongoing Challenges
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood welcomed the statistics, saying, "We are having real success tackling the crimes that terrorise communities. Homicides are at their lowest level for almost 50 years. Knife crime continues to fall." She also noted the government's recent creation of nearly 3,000 extra prison places since taking office in July 2024, with plans to reach a goal of 14,000.
However, the Home Secretary cautioned that challenges remain, particularly with crimes like shoplifting, which increased by 5% to 519,381 offences. "The crimes that tear at the fabric of communities, like shop theft and shop robbery, continue to rise and we must do more," she stated, pointing to initiatives such as deploying 13,000 more neighbourhood officers and investing an additional £2 billion in police forces.
Broader Crime Survey Context
The ONS figures are derived from two main sources: police recorded crime and the Crime Survey for England and Wales, which measures people's experiences of crime. While the survey suggests a relatively stable picture for overall violent crime, estimated at around 1.1 million incidents, the police-recorded data shows clear declines in specific high-harm areas.
Robbery offences remained broadly stable at 82,678 incidents. The data indicates that the majority of police forces, including major urban areas like Greater Manchester, the Metropolitan Police district, and the West Midlands, have seen knife crime fall over the past year.
These comprehensive statistics challenge certain political narratives about escalating crime, particularly in urban centres like London, demonstrating measurable progress in reducing homicide and serious violence across the nation.
