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.

London recorded its lowest homicide rate in over a decade in 2025, but this decline masked sharp increases in domestic abuse-related killings of women, murders of elderly victims, and teenage involvement in violence, highlighting deepening vulnerabilities despite overall progress.

In 2024, Greater London recorded 102 homicides, with knife crime still the leading cause of death but shootings on the rise and a worrying surge in teenage offenders. Black individuals remained disproportionately affected as both victims and suspects, and the City of Westminster, along with several East London boroughs, emerged as new hotspots for lethal violence.

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.

The tragic deaths of three young girls in Southport have sparked national outrage and renewed focus on the prevalence and impact of knife crime in England and Wales.

London witnessed a concerning rise in teen homicides in 2023, surpassing the previous year’s count with a mix of stabbings, shootings, and other violent incidents.

In 2023, Greater London recorded 103 homicides, with stabbings making up two-thirds of all killings, and the data revealing continued racial disparities, a predominance of male victims and offenders, and a significant number of cases still awaiting trial.

In 2021, Greater London recorded 133 homicides, including a record number of teenage deaths largely driven by knife and gun violence, with Newham emerging as the most affected borough and the data highlighting stark racial, geographic, and socio-economic disparities.