Westminster has highest murder rate in England and Wales

More than 500 murders have been recorded by the Metropolitan Police in London over the last five years, according to an analysis of police statistics. The figures reveal that Westminster has the highest murder rate per 100,000 people across England and Wales when adjusted for population size.

In the five-year period up to March 2026, Westminster recorded 24 murders. This equates to a per-capita murder rate of 11.43 crimes per 100,000 residents. However, this figure may be influenced by a large number of tourists and visitors in the borough relative to its resident population.

Lambeth records highest number of killings

Within London, Lambeth recorded the highest number of killings over the same five-year period, with 34 incidents. Lewisham followed with 33 murders, and Southwark recorded 31. Brent saw 28 killings, and Croydon recorded 27.

Nationally, the number of killings recorded across England and Wales for the year ending March 2026 stood at 431. This represents a 4% decrease on the previous year and is the lowest total recorded since at least 2012. The Metropolitan Police recorded 98 murders in London in the year ending March 2026, marking the first time the figure has fallen below 100 since the year ending March 2015.

Victim and suspect demographics

Home Office statistics on homicide cases, which include murder, manslaughter, and infanticide, indicate that three-quarters of all victims are male. The circumstances and relationships between victims and suspects vary significantly by gender. For female victims of homicide, approximately 40% were suspected to have been killed by a partner or ex-partner when a suspect was identified. In contrast, only 4% of male victims were suspected to have been killed by a partner or ex-partner. Male victims were more likely to be killed by a friend or acquaintance, accounting for 20% of cases, or by a stranger, at 18%.

The most common motivations for homicide offences were disputes, revenge, or sudden loss of temper. While the statistics encompass manslaughter and infanticide, the majority of cases analysed are murders.