According to the UK Office for National Statistics, there were only 499 homicides, including murder, manslaughter, and infanticide, recorded in England and Wales between September 2024 and September 2025. This is the lowest figure since 1977—almost half a century.
Compared to the previous year, the number of murders decreased by 7% (from 539 cases). The main reason for this decline was a sharp decline in homicides involving bladed weapons: the number of such incidents fell by 23% to 174.
Experts attribute this positive trend to a general decline in knife crime and lifestyle changes—people are spending less time late at night in public places, where such crimes are more common.
The Home Secretary noted: “Murder rates are at their lowest level in almost 50 years. Knife crime continues to decline. However, we still have much work to do, particularly in tackling shoplifting and robberies, which continue to rise.”
The situation in London has also improved: 97 murders were recorded in 2025—the lowest since 2014—and the per capita rate is the lowest since 1997.
Despite the positive figures for serious violent crime, the overall level of certain types of property crime in the country remains a concern for law enforcement.