Violent crimes against parents by children up 60% since 2015, shows London data

"The number of violent offences involving an adolescent attacking their parents or step-parents has increased by more than 60% in the past decade, according to figures recorded by the UK's biggest police force. Data released by Scotland Yard reveals that there were 1,886 such offences recorded in 2015 but this increased to 3,091 in the first 10 months of 2025 alone."

"The Metropolitan police figures suggest a major surge in recorded incidents amid the Covid pandemic, although the numbers had been edging up over the previous four years and have seemingly plateaued in the past two years. There were 1,886 offences recorded in 2015, 1,804 in 2016, 2,068 in 2017, 2,290 in 2018 and 2,292 in 2019. In 2020, when Covid hit the UK, there were 2,454 recorded incidents of filial violence."

"Atkinson said part of the explanation could be an increase in awareness of available help but that a number of other factors could be fuelling the violence. She said: I spoke to a woman recently with a fractured jaw and a fractured finger from her daughter and she said that, you know, this has been going on for a long time, and it's only when things are starting to escalate that I'm thinking, actually, maybe there's more of a problem."

Recorded violent offences of adolescents attacking parents or step-parents rose by more than 60% over the past decade in Metropolitan Police data, reaching 3,091 incidents in the first ten months of 2025. Suspects were aged between 10 and 17 and recorded as the child or stepchild of the alleged victim. Numbers increased from 1,886 in 2015 and rose notably after 2020, with a surge amid the Covid pandemic and apparent plateau in the past two years. Capa First Response reported a 90% increase in referrals over two years and cited greater awareness plus other contributing factors, with parents reporting serious injuries.

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