Mayor's Violence Reduction Unit reaches one million Londoners

The Mayor of London's Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) has now reached one million individuals across the capital, the organisation announced. Established in 2019 by Mayor Sadiq Khan, the unit has engaged 750,000 young people and 250,000 adults, including parents, carers, youth workers, and professionals who work with young people. This engagement is part of a public health strategy aimed at addressing youth crime in London.

Impact on Knife Crime and Homicides

Data from NHS figures indicates a 54% reduction in young people admitted to hospital for knife assaults in London since 2019, the year the VRU was created. Police-recorded knife-enabled crime across London also saw a 12% decrease in the year ending June 2026, compared to the previous year, according to the Office for National Statistics. Mayor Khan stated that the VRU operates on the principle that "we cannot arrest our way out of violence," focusing on prevention, early intervention, and diversion.

Homicide rates among teenagers and young adults in London have also declined since 2019, although the decrease has not been linear. Specifically, the homicide rate for 13 to 19-year-olds fell by 68% from 2019 to 2025. The VRU director, Lib Peck, noted that the unit supports young people at points of "crisis or vulnerability."

Calls for Future Funding

Mayor Khan described reaching one million people as a "milestone" for the VRU, asserting that "A public health approach to tackling violence and exploitation works." He highlighted that the unit's investment has provided interventions, positive opportunities, and training for youth workers, mentors, and school staff. The Mayor has urged the government to provide multi-year financial backing for the VRU, rather than the current annual allocations of approximately £10 million. A spokesperson for the Home Office stated that future funding decisions are not yet finalised but confirmed that the government has maintained over £66 million in investment for Violence Reduction Units and Serious Violence Duty Partnerships this year.

Context of Homicide Rates

While overall homicide rates among young people have fallen, there have been fluctuations. In 2021, 30 teenagers were killed in London, which was a record number. This year, there have been nine teenage homicides recorded, compared to eight in 2025 and 25 in 2019. For the 13 to 24-year-old age group, the homicide rate fell by 61% from 2019 to 2025, also experiencing non-steady declines.