London’s murder rate fell 11% to a decade-low after police targeted organized crime gangs and expanded facial recognition technology
London’s Murder Rate Hits Record Low
The murder rate in London is the lowest in over a decade, according to the Met Police. This decline follows a crackdown on organized crime gangs and the use of facial recognition technology.
In the year leading up to January, there were 97 homicides in London, down from 109 in 2024. This marks an 11 percent decrease and is a significant improvement from 2021, when 133 people were killed, including a record 30 teenagers.
Only eight teenagers were among the victims in 2025. The Met Police attributes the latest figures to a focus on reducing violence against women and girls (VAWG), as stated by Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley.
Current Statistics
| Year | Homicides | Teen Victims | Murder Rate (per 100,000) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 133 | 30 | N/A |
| 2024 | 109 | N/A | N/A |
| 2025 | 97 | 8 | 1.1 |
The current murder rate stands at 1.1 per 100,000, the lowest since records began. This rate is lower than New York’s 2.8 and Berlin’s 3.2. Last year, the Met made an average of 1,000 more arrests each month.
Commissioner Rowley stated, “I am privileged to lead such extraordinary people. Three years ago, I pledged that we would make London safer through more trust and less crime. London’s record-low homicide rate is the result of relentless work: arresting 1,000 more offenders each month, using innovative technology such as live facial recognition to solve more crime, and taking precise action against the most dangerous gangs, organized criminals, and predatory men who target women and children.”
He added, “The results speak for themselves: fewer lives lost, fewer families shattered. Every murder is a tragedy, but we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to drive down serious violence.”
Efforts Against Organized Crime
The Met has focused on dismantling county lines drug operations, which often lead to violence and contribute to the murder rate. There were 1,600 arrests of suspected county lines affiliates.
The Met and City Hall are collaborating with schools and youth groups to prevent young people from engaging in serious violence and carrying knives. The Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) was established in 2019 to address the rise in teenage murders.
Additionally, the V100 list identifies 100 men considered a threat to women in London, which has also contributed to the reduction in the murder rate.
Statements from Officials
London Mayor Sadiq Khan remarked, “It’s clear that our sustained focus on being both tough on crime and tough on the complex causes of crime is working. This includes investing in intervention and prevention work led by my Violence Reduction Unit.” He emphasized the importance of continuing to invest in police and provide opportunities for young Londoners.
The Met and the Home Office plan to expand facial recognition technology using images from the police custody database to aid in bringing offenders to justice. The Met’s clearance rate for murders was 95 percent last year, aided by technology and evidence from suspects’ mobile phones.
Libby Peck, Director of London’s VRU, stated, “A lot has been painted about safety in London, but the fact is homicide levels are at record lows and violence continues to fall.”
