Violent crime in London has dropped by 13%—a fall of nearly 10,000 attacks a year—as the capital records its lowest homicide rate in five years.
New figures from the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) have revealed sharp drops across serious offences, including 9,774 fewer violence with injury offences, 30 fewer homicides, 115 fewer gun crime incidents, and notable drops in both residential and business burglaries.
London’s murder rate is now lower than any US state—including New York—and sits below that of major European capitals such as Paris, Berlin and Madrid. This is reflected in the Met Commissioner’s latest report to the London Policing Board.
Despite there being “tens of thousands of fewer victims,” Mayor of London Sadiq Khan acknowledged that “one death and one crime will always be too many.”
He praised the work of the Met Police and London’s Violence Reduction Unit, and said City Hall is determined to “build on this trajectory of progress” through increased investment in policing and targeted action to keep Londoners safe.
Analysis by MOPAC found knife crime in London has fallen by 14% in the last year, while residential burglary has fallen by 10% and theft from a person has fallen by 13%.
In 2024, London had 1.2 homicides per 100,000 residents — lower than New York at 4.0 and Toronto at 1.7.
Homicides in London are also lower compared to most north European cities such as Berlin (3.4), Brussels (3.2), Paris (1.4), and Copenhagen (1.5).
Sadiq Khan said: "There have been nearly ten thousand fewer offences of violence with injury over the past 12 months compared to the same period nearly a decade ago when I first became mayor.
“Violence, homicides and burglary have all fallen substantially and thanks to the dedicated efforts of the police and London’s Violence Reduction Unit, you are significantly less likely to be a victim of assault, GBH or any other form of violence in London than across the rest of England and Wales. This means there are tens of thousands of fewer victims as a result.
“Last year, London recorded the lowest number of homicides of under-25s for more than two decades, and overall homicides in the capital are at a five-year low, with London’s rate lower than every US State, including New York, as well as other major international cities such as Paris, Brussels, Berlin, and Madrid.
“But one death and one crime will always be one too many. That’s why, working with partners and the Government, we are determined to build on this trajectory of progress through record investment from City Hall in the police - boosting high visibility policing and targeted action against the worst offenders.
“Alongside enforcement, we are also focused on tackling the complex causes of crime, with ongoing prevention and intervention work in our communities for young Londoners when they need it most.
“There is clearly much more to do, which is why we are also enhancing our collective efforts to tackle robbery, thefts and knife crime – all of which have fallen for the first quarter of the year. Working together, I’m determined to do more and continue to deliver a safer London for everyone.”
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward, from the Metropolitan Police Service, said: “The Met is working to make London safer. We’re reducing serious violence, targeting dangerous offenders and protecting more of the public from harm.
“Homicide is down by a quarter, knife crime has been reduced by 14%, and we’ve taken thousands of weapons from our streets – all because we’re focusing on the issues that matter most to local people.
“We’ll never stop the fight against senseless violence, and we know there is always more to do, but we are proud of the thousands of dedicated men and women who work every day with partners and communities to make our city safer.”
