Labour's policing minister has celebrated a 10% reduction in knife crime reports over the past year, as new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also reveals a decline in homicides across England and Wales.
Knife Offences and Homicides Decline
In the 12 months to December 2025, there were 49,151 offences involving a blade, down from 54,548 the previous year. Homicides fell by 6% to 503 in England and Wales during the same period. Robberies involving knives also decreased.
Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones welcomed the figures but emphasised the need for sustained progress. Labour pledged to halve knife crime within a decade when it came to power in 2024.
Shoplifting and Charge Rates
There were also signs of improvement in the shoplifting epidemic, with reported cases dropping by 1% to nearly 510,000 in 12 months. However, the overall charge rate for shoplifting suspects rose by 17%, according to separate Home Office data, attributed to increased town centre patrols.
Killings using knives dropped by 21% to 172, while the homicide rate fell to 8.1 per million people, down from 8.9 in 2024. Total knife offences are 11% lower than in 2020.
Minister's Statement
Minister Sarah Jones stated: “This Government has a clear ambition to halve knife crime over the next decade, and today’s figures show that progress is well underway. Knife-related homicides continue to fall, dropping by 27% since the start of this Parliament. Knife‑enabled offences are down by 10% in the last year - this means almost 5,400 fewer of these traumatising offences and the lowest since 2021.”
She highlighted a 15% drop in robberies using knives, attributing it to a new Knife‑Enabled Robbery Taskforce targeting hotspots. “These statistics are very positive, but we recognise this is only the start and this progress needs to become lasting change,” she added.
Government Measures
Earlier this month, the Government unveiled its strategy to tackle knife crime, including a £26 million Knife Crime Concentrations Fund supporting 27 police forces that account for 90% of knife crime in England and Wales. Additionally, 250 schools in hotspots will receive specialist training and support, and 50 Young Futures Hubs will be established in worst-affected areas by the end of the current Parliament to provide support and safe spaces for under-18s.
The minister said: “Together with our proposed police reforms will help officers respond faster, work more effectively and stay focused on keeping people safe, we are tackling the causes of violence as well as the crime itself. There is more to do, but it is clear progress is underway.”
Other Crime Trends
The ONS figures showed an 11% decrease in thefts, with domestic burglary dropping by 22% and vehicle theft down by 14%. However, fraud cases rose to an estimated 4.4 million, up from 4.1 million in 2024. The overall number of serious crimes remained stable at 9.6 million.
