London, UK – September 3, 2025 – London has recorded its fewest homicides during the summer months of June, July, and August since 2018, marking a significant achievement in the city’s ongoing efforts to combat violence. Provisional figures released today also show no homicides involving individuals under the age of 25 during the crucial school summer holiday period. This positive news comes as Mayor Sadiq Khan reaffirms his commitment to tackling the root causes of violence across the capital.
London Records Lowest Summer Homicide Rate in Six Years
Early statistics indicate a notable decrease in fatal incidents across London during the peak summer months. The period from June to August this year saw the lowest number of homicides recorded in the city since 2018. This trend contributes to an overall reduction, with provisional figures revealing a quarter decrease in homicides across all age groups compared to the same period last year. Specifically, the number of recorded homicides has fallen from 78 to 58 by the start of September, representing a substantial drop.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley commented on the broader impact of the force’s strategy, stating that homicide is at a 10-year low. He added that violent incidents involving injuries are down by a fifth, and firearms discharges have been reduced to less than half of their level seven years ago. This progress, he attributed to the Met’s proactive approach in targeting dangerous offenders and dismantling organised crime groups, which in turn safeguards individuals at risk of exploitation.
Youth Violence Prevention Shows Positive Impact
A particularly encouraging aspect of the latest figures is the absence of any homicides involving individuals under 25 during the summer school holiday period. This achievement builds on previous successes, as last year London recorded its lowest number of under-25 homicides in 22 years and its fewest teenage homicides since 2012. So far this year, there have been 10 recorded homicides of individuals under 25, a significant decrease from the 26 recorded at the same point last year. Similarly, teenage homicides have fallen from nine at this time last year to just four.
Mayor Sadiq Khan emphasized that these figures are encouraging, but reiterated his consistent message that “one death is one too many.” He highlighted the proactive work undertaken by the Metropolitan Police and his London Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) as key drivers of these positive outcomes, particularly during the summer months, which are traditionally a challenging period for youth safety.
Mayor’s Investment and Violence Reduction Unit Strategy
The Mayor’s strategy to enhance public safety includes a substantial investment of £1.16 billion in the Metropolitan Police for the 2025/26 period. This record-breaking funding aims to bolster neighbourhood policing and support specialist units, helping to mitigate the impact of previous funding cuts.
Central to the Mayor’s approach is the London Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), established in 2019. The VRU pioneers a partnership-based strategy focused on prevention and early intervention. Since its inception, the unit has invested in over 450,000 opportunities for young people. This commitment has coincided with a 40% reduction in hospital admissions for knife assaults among those under 25 and a 16% decrease in personal robbery offences. The VRU’s efforts include embedding youth workers in hospitals and police custody suites, providing support for families, and funding programmes like “Holiday Hope,” a £6 million initiative offering activities for young people most at risk of exploitation and violence.
The Home Office has allocated £9.4 million in funding to London’s VRU for 2025/2026, ensuring the continuation of these vital intervention programmes.
Context and Future Outlook
These latest statistics indicate a broader trend of falling crime in London since 2016, with homicides, knife crime affecting the under-25s, violence with injury, burglary, and gun crime all showing reductions. While acknowledging the progress, Mayor Khan remains focused on further efforts to enhance safety.
The news comes as London continues to navigate complex crime challenges, but the reduction in homicides, particularly among young people, signifies a step forward. The Mayor’s office also noted that, on average, Londoners are less likely to be victims of violence with injury compared to the rest of England and Wales. The consistent investment in policing and preventative youth programmes underscores the city’s dedication to building a safer future for all its residents. This latest news offers a moment to celebrate successes while reinforcing the ongoing commitment to tackling violence.
