AOAV’s review of unsolved murders in London over the past decade found that cases are far more likely to remain unresolved when the victim is a young Black man or when the killing involves a firearm, raising questions about trust in policing, witness cooperation and unequal access to justice.

A viral claim that Palantir software reduced domestic murders in Bedfordshire to zero is contradicted by recent cases, unsupported by reliable statistics, and lacks evidence of any causal impact.

In a recent Times Radio debate, former police officer Norman Brennan advocated for arming all UK police officers, citing rising crime; however, official statistics indicate that violent crime has significantly declined since the 1990s, with homicides at 9.5 per million in 2024 , and police firearm discharges remain exceedingly rare, with only two incidents in over 17,500 armed operations in 2023–24 , suggesting that Brennan’s proposal lacks empirical support and could undermine the UK’s effective model of policing by consent.

As knife crime in the UK continues to rise, with a 7% increase in 2023, experts emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying causes of violence and provides robust support for vulnerable communities.

The UK faces significant challenges with knife and gun violence, particularly among teenagers and in certain metropolitan areas, despite overall declining homicide rates.