London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed his dismay at the negative portrayal of London as new statistics reveal a significant decrease in homicides.
Recent data shows a notable decline in the total number of killings, reaching a 14-year low and marking the lowest level per capita since records began. Khan emphasized, “Despite efforts to undermine London’s reputation, the data paints a different picture.”
In the previous year, London recorded its lowest murder rate per capita on record, the fewest murders among individuals under 25 in this century, and one of the lowest numbers of homicides in nearly thirty years.
Khan highlighted the utilization of technology such as facial recognition and targeted crackdowns on criminal gangs, leading to an additional 1,000 arrests per month by the Metropolitan Police. The latest figures indicate a year-on-year decrease of 11%, with 97 homicides in 2025, the lowest since 2014, despite a population increase of over 500,000 in London.
The city’s homicide rate stands at 1.1 per 100,000 people, contrasting with rates in other major cities like 2.8 in New York, 3.2 in Berlin, 11.7 in Chicago, 12.3 in Philadelphia, and 1.6 in Toronto. Khan stated, “The outcomes speak for themselves: fewer lives lost, fewer families devastated. While every murder is tragic, we remain committed to employing all available resources to reduce serious violence.”
Metropolitan Police detectives achieved a remarkable 95% solve rate last year, as indicated by the data.
Lib Peck, director of London’s violence reduction unit (VRU), commented, “Despite the negative perception, homicide levels are at record lows, and violence continues to decline. While there is more work to be done to dispel misconceptions and ensure public safety, last year’s data demonstrates consistent progress.”
These statements follow criticism from mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham, who recently claimed that London’s safety is deteriorating. Cunningham lamented the shift from London being an admired city to one perceived as unsafe by many.
The VRU conducted over 550,000 targeted interventions last year to prevent youth from engaging in gang-related activities and violence.
Khan affirmed, “Our sustained focus on combating crime and addressing its root causes is evidently effective.”