Knife Homicides in England and Wales Fall by Nearly a Quarter in Latest Figures
The Office for National Statistics has released new data showing a substantial decline in fatal stabbings across England and Wales. According to the figures, homicides involving a knife or sharp instrument have decreased by nearly a quarter over the past twelve months.
Record Low in Overall Homicide Numbers
The statistics reveal that there were 174 homicides involving a knife or sharp instrument in the year to September 2025. This represents a significant 23% reduction from the 227 recorded in the previous year. This dramatic decrease has been instrumental in driving the overall homicide total to its lowest level since current records began in 2003.
Police recorded 499 homicides in the twelve months to September 2025, marking a 7% year-on-year drop from 539. The broader category of knife crime offences has also seen a notable decline, falling by 9% to 50,430 incidents compared with 55,149 in the previous year.
Official Commentary and Supporting Data
Billy Gazard of the ONS commented on the findings, stating: "While the crime survey paints a relatively stable picture, many aspects of violent crime and theft recorded by the police have fallen in the past 12 months. Homicide and gun crime are at the lowest levels seen this century, while knife crime has also decreased."
He further noted that "the majority of police forces have seen knife crime fall in the past year, including the larger urban Greater Manchester, Metropolitan and West Midlands areas. This is supported by NHS data, which continue to show a decrease in hospital admissions for assault by a sharp object."
London Sees Decade-Low in Homicides
Separate figures published by the Metropolitan Police earlier this month align with this positive trend. Homicides in the capital dropped to their lowest level in more than a decade during 2025. There were 97 homicides in London last year, down 11% from 109 in 2024. This is the lowest number recorded since 2014, when 95 homicides were reported.
Contrasting Trends in Other Crime Categories
While violent crime shows encouraging signs of reduction, the ONS figures highlight contrasting trends in other areas. Shoplifting offences increased by 5% in the year to September, with 519,381 incidents recorded. However, this figure remains slightly below the record level of 530,439 offences seen in the twelve months to March 2025.
Separate data from the ONS Crime Survey for England and Wales indicates a concerning rise in financial crime. Bank and credit card fraud increased by 19% to 2.6 million incidents in the year to September. The survey is considered a reliable measure of crime trends as it is not affected by changes in police reporting or recording practices.
The comprehensive survey covers a wide range of personal and household victim-based crimes, including theft, robbery, criminal damage, fraud, computer misuse, and violence with or without injury. It should be noted that sexual offences, stalking, harassment, and domestic abuse are presented separately and are not included in these specific figures.
