England & Wales Homicides Lowest Since 1983

In the year to September 2025, the Office for National Statistics recorded 499 homicides across England and Wales – a 7 % drop from the previous year and the lowest figure in more than four decades. The total is the smallest since 1983, when 482 murders were logged. Knife‑related killings fell 23 %, with 174 deaths involving knives or other sharp instruments. Overall knife‑crime offences slipped 9 % to 50,430, while gun‑related offences also fell 9 % to 4,851. In London, the Metropolitan Police reported 97 killings in 2025, down 11 % from 109 in 2024 and the fewest since 2014. The trend is mirrored across the country, but shop‑lifting offences grew 5 % to 519,381. Policing reforms are underway, with 13,000 new neighbourhood officers to be deployed by 2029 and a £2 bn investment.