London Crime Rates: Overall Offences Up, Violence Down in a Decade

Overall crime rates in London have risen when measured per 1,000 people between 2016 and 2026, an analysis by MyLondon has found. However, the same period has seen reductions in specific categories of crime, including violence with injury.

Data shows that all crime, excluding fraud, increased by 15 points from 86.2 to 101.4 offences per 1,000 population between the year ending June 2016 and the year ending June 2026. Violence against the person also saw an increase, rising by 6 points from 21.9 to 28 per 1,000 population.

Reductions in Serious Violence and Burglary

Despite the overall rise, violence with injury offences decreased by 1 point, from 8.6 to 7.2 per 1,000 population. The Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) reported a 31% reduction in burglary offences between May 2016 and September 2026, representing 21,634 fewer offences. MOPAC also noted a 11% reduction in violence with injury offences over the same period.

The number of murders recorded in London in 2025 stood at 97, which is the second lowest figure on record. This represents a 15% decrease compared to the year ending May 2016, according to MOPAC figures.

Increase in Knife Crime and Other Thefts

In contrast, offences involving knives and sharp instruments saw a significant rise. These offences increased from 9,694 in the year ending March 2016 to 13,848 in the year ending June 2026. The Metropolitan Police implemented changes to data recording practices from April 2024, which the Violence Reduction Unit notes may affect direct comparisons with earlier years.

Theft offences also increased overall, with a 4-point rise from 41.4 to 46.3 per 1,000 population. Within this category, shoplifting rose from 5.3 to 10.4 per 1,000 population, and theft from a person increased from 3.9 to 8.4 per 1,000 population.

Mayor Sadiq Khan stated on November 5 that crimes including lethal barrel discharge, gun crime, burglary, theft from a vehicle, and violence with injury offences are down compared to 2016. He also highlighted that London's homicide rate was the lowest since records began on a per capita basis in the last 12 months.

MOPAC's analysis also indicated a 6% reduction in total gun crime and a 59% reduction in gun crime involving lethal barrel discharge between May 2016 and September 2026. Theft from a vehicle also decreased by 10% during this period.

Public Perception of Crime

Public concern about crime nationally has increased. The percentage of people believing crime has risen 'a little' or 'a lot' rose from 60% in the year to March 2016 to 80% in the year to March 2026. For London specifically, 31% of people felt crime had increased in the past few years in 2016, compared to 52% in the year to March 2026.

It is important to note that changes in statistical recording methods over the past decade complicate direct comparisons. For example, burglary offences have been re-categorised twice during the Mayor's tenure.