London recorded its lowest number of homicides in a decade with 94 deaths in the 12 months to May 2024 – just one more than the 93 registered in 2014, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed.
The figures mark a significant drop in violent crime across the capital, with both the Met and Mayor Sadiq Khan crediting collaborative efforts between police, community groups and local authorities for the improvement.
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said the reduction reflected the force's "relentless focus" on tackling violent crime through proactive operations and intelligence-led policing. He praised officers and staff who "work tirelessly to keep Londoners safe, often in challenging circumstances".
The Met has invested heavily in initiatives aimed at preventing violence and disrupting criminal networks as London, like other major UK cities, grappled with rising knife crime and youth violence in recent years.
Mayor Khan pointed to sustained investment in policing and violence reduction programmes, particularly the Violence Reduction Unit established in 2018. The VRU adopts a public health approach to tackle violence at its roots, funding prevention projects and early intervention programmes supporting at-risk young people across London.
Despite the encouraging figures, both the Met and the Mayor stressed there was "no room for complacency". They pledged to continue driving down all forms of violent crime whilst addressing underlying factors that contribute to violence alongside robust law enforcement across London's diverse communities.