London crime rates: overall crime up, violence down
Analysis of data from 2016 to 2026 shows a rise in overall offences per 1,000 population, but a fall in violence with injury.
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Overall crime in London has increased by 15 points, from 86.2 to 101.4 offences per 1,000 population, between 2016 and 2026. This is according to an analysis of data by MyLondon. Despite the overall rise, specific categories of crime have shown a decrease over the same period.
Specific crime categories show mixed trends
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Violence with injury offences have fallen by 1 point, from 8.6 to 7.2 offences per 1,000 population. Homicides in London have also decreased, with 117 murders recorded in 2016 compared to 97 in 2025. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, stated that crimes including lethal barrel discharge, gun crime, burglary, theft from a vehicle, and violence with injury offences are down compared to 2016. He also noted that London's homicide rate was the lowest since records began on a per capita basis last year.
Other offences have seen an increase. Violence against the person rose by 6 points from 21.9 to 28 per 1,000 population. Sexual offences increased from 1.9 to 3.1 per 1,000 population, and robbery went up from 2.5 to 3.6 per 1,000 population. Total theft offences increased by 4 points, from 41.4 to 46.3 per 1,000 population. Within theft, shoplifting rose from 5.3 to 10.4 per 1,000 population, and theft from a person increased from 3.9 to 8.4 per 1,000 population.
Public perception of crime
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Public concern about crime has risen nationally and locally. According to the Crime Survey of England and Wales, the percentage of people who think crime has gone up "a little" or "a lot" in the past few years has increased from 60 per cent in the year to March 2016 to 80 per cent in the year to March 2026. For London specifically, the proportion of people who felt crime had increased locally in the past few years rose from 31 per cent in 2016 to 52 per cent in the year to March 2026.
Data recording and funding
It is important to note that changes in the methods of recording crime statistics over the past decade may complicate direct comparisons. For example, burglary offences have been re-categorised twice during the period. The Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime reported reductions in specific offences, including violence with injury (down 11%), burglary (down 31%), and homicide (down 15%). The Mayor attributed these results, in part, to a record £1.26 billion in funding for policing from City Hall this year.
Questions this report answers
+Has overall crime in London increased or decreased between 2016 and 2026?
Overall crime in London has increased between 2016 and 2026. Statistics show a rise from 86.2 to 101.4 offences per 1,000 population over this decade, according to an analysis by MyLondon.
+What specific types of crime have decreased in London?
Violence with injury offences have decreased, falling from 8.6 to 7.2 offences per 1,000 population between 2016 and 2026. London also saw a reduction in murders, from 117 in 2016 to 97 in 2025.
+How has public perception of crime changed in London?
Public perception of crime has shifted, with more people believing it has increased. In the year to March 2026, 52 per cent of people surveyed thought crime had gone up locally, compared to 31 per cent in 2016.
+What funding has been allocated to policing in London?
The Mayor of London has provided a record £1.26 billion in funding for policing from City Hall this year. This amount is stated to be more than double the funding provided under the previous mayor.
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