Homicides in England and Wales fall to lowest level since records began

"Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show 499 homicides were recorded by police in the 12 months to September 2025, a drop of 7% year on year from 539. These are the lowest overall homicide figures since records were first recorded in 2003. Homicide involving a knife or sharp instrument in England and Wales has fallen by 23% to 174 in the year."

"Knife crime has also fallen, dropping by 9% to 50,430 offences in the year to September, compared with 55,149 in the previous 12 months. The government announced on Thursday that it had created nearly 3,000 extra prison places since it came into office in July 2024, and was on track to hit its goal of 14,000. The crime figures appear to contradict claims from those on the right who say the UK, and London in particular, has a growing crime problem."

"The statistics are split into police recorded crime and a crime survey of people's experiences of crime. The ONS estimates there were about 1.1m incidents of violent crime, ranging from threats and jostling to assault and murder, which was little changed on the previous year. The number of robbery offences remained broadly similar, at 82,678, but shoplifting increased by 5%, from 492,660 offences the previous year to 519,381."

The Office for National Statistics recorded 499 homicides in the 12 months to September 2025, a 7% decline from 539 and the lowest total since records began in 2003. Knife-related homicides fell 23% to 174, and recorded knife crime decreased 9% to 50,430 offences in the year to September. The crime survey estimated about 1.1 million incidents of violent crime, little changed year on year. Robbery remained broadly similar at 82,678 offences, while shoplifting rose 5% to 519,381. Nearly 3,000 extra prison places were created since July 2024, with a 14,000-place target ongoing. Most police forces, including Greater Manchester, the Metropolitan and West Midlands, saw falls in knife crime, and NHS data were cited as supporting the reductions.

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