The drop means London’s homicide rate is now lower than Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Madrid and all major US cities
A top ex-Met cop has chimed in on exactly why killings have dipped in the capital this year. There were the fewest number of homicides in London across June, July and August since 2018, according to the London Assembly.
The drop means London’s homicide rate is now lower than Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Madrid and all major US cities, with Havering, Enfield, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Camden recording some of the most significant reductions. In 2024, London recorded the lowest number of killings of under-25s for 22 years, and the lowest number of teenage homicides since 2012.
So far this year, there have been 10 under-25 killings recorded, compared with 26 at the same point last year – a drop of over 60 per cent. The number of teenage killings has fallen from nine at this point last year to four.
And even more encouragingly, provisional figures show that the number of killings across all ages has fallen by a quarter compared to the start of September last year (78 down to 58).
The number of violent crimes leading to injury dropped across all 32 boroughs in the last 12 months, with almost 9,000 fewer offences across the capital, new figures from the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime reveal. The new figures, which compare the 12 months ending in August this year to the previous 12 months, show violent crime leading to injury overall fell by almost 12 percent in London with crime reductions reported in every London borough during that period. We spoke to retired DCI Mike Neville who puts the drop in stats down to a number of things, but is ultimately ‘surprised’ by the drop.
He said: “I’m surprised [they’ve gone down] because of the levels of knife crime. Criminals are more aware these days, nobody wants to kill someone and be done for murder. I did a piece with a journalist who was looking into stun guns for example, if you’re a drug dealer and you want to torture another drug dealer they’re [stun guns] a far better thing to use because if you start shooting and stabbing people you run the risk of killing them.”
The cop of 28-and-a-half years added: “Whereas with a stun gun you can torture them – unless they’ve got a serious heart condition you’re more likely to not kill them which is better as nobody wants to kill people, that could be one reason. Better hospital treatment could be another [reason for the drop], but I don’t think there’s been a decline in general crime, thieving for example is out of control.”
We also spoke to Pastor Lorraine Jones Burrell MBE, the CEO/Founder of the Dwayne Simpson Foundation. Her son, Dwayne Simpson, was stabbed to death on the streets of Brixton in 2014.
She too thinks the drop in killings isn’t down to one factor, but is the result of a multitude of ‘efforts at every level,’ including The Royal Family, Number 10, Sadiq Khan, as well as local councils.
Pastor Lorraine commended ‘the work of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his government, particularly the commitment to halving knife crime and investing in trauma hubs and youth futures hubs, has been vital in setting a strong national framework. Alongside this, the Metropolitan Police continue to work tirelessly, often under very difficult conditions, to prevent violence, build trust, and protect communities’.
However efforts from other organisations also played a part. She said: “At the heart of change are grassroots organisations like the Dwayne Simpson Foundation and many others across London, who engage directly with young people and families, offering support, mentoring, and alternatives to crime. These efforts are strengthened by funding streams from Mayor Sadiq Khan, who has made consistent investments into grassroots projects, recognising that community-led solutions are essential to lasting change.
“Local councils also play an important role, providing facilities, programmes, and wraparound support services for young people. Celebrities, too, have stepped forward to use their platforms to raise awareness, advocate for change, and inspire young people towards positive pathways.”
‘We must recognise the support of His Majesty King Charles III’
Pastor Lorraine added: “We must also recognise the support of His Majesty King Charles III and His Royal Highness Prince William. Both have shown deep commitment to tackling youth violence by hosting a Youth Futures roundtable on knife crime at St James’s Palace and visiting grassroots community centres, shining a spotlight on the vital work happening on the ground. Their leadership sends a powerful message of unity and care at the highest level.
“We cannot overlook the role of legislation. Changes in law, such as tougher sentencing for those who carry knives and improved safeguarding measures, have added an important layer of deterrence and accountability.
“All of these elements national leadership, royal support, police dedication, grassroots passion, council services, celebrity influence, and legal frameworks are working together to turn the tide. While there is still much more to be done, the progress this summer shows what is possible when we unite across every sector to protect lives and create hope for the future.”
MyLondon also spoke to Faron Alex Paul, who leads knife surrendering charity Faz Amnesty. Since he began collecting knives in 2018 he has had over 10,000 knives surrendered to him nationwide, and around 17 guns.
He too thinks there is a plethora of reasons for the encouraging numbers surrounding a drop in killings. Faron said: “I don’t think there’s any one reason. I feel more that it’s many factors such as certain parts of the generation going past that lifestyle, certain people incarcerated, parents moving children away. Law changes in weapons being stored, brought and sold also play a part.”
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