London has recorded its lowest number of summer homicides since 2018, with early figures showing a sharp fall in killings across June, July, and August.

Most strikingly, there were no homicides involving under-25s during this year’s school holidays – a period that is often seen as particularly high risk for young people. Overall, provisional figures suggest that the number of people killed in London has dropped by a quarter compared with the same point last year.

Mayor Sadiq Khan welcomed the progress but stressed that “one death is one too many.” He said the results reflect years of joint effort between City Hall, the Metropolitan Police, and community partners – especially through London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), the first of its kind in England and Wales.

A continuing downward trend

Last year saw the lowest number of under-25 homicides in 22 years, and the lowest teenage homicide figures since 2012

So far in 2024, 10 under-25s have lost their lives, down from 26 by the same point in 2023.

Teenage homicides have also fallen, from nine last year to four this year.

Across all ages, homicides have dropped from 78 last year to 58 this year – a 25% fall.

This comes alongside national crime data showing Londoners are now, on average, less likely to be victims of violence with injury than people elsewhere in England and Wales.

Investment and prevention

City Hall says long-term investment is paying off. Since 2016, homicides, knife crime with injury (for under-25s), and gun crime have all fallen. The Mayor is now putting a record £1.16bn into the Met Police budget for 2025/26, more than double the investment made under the previous Mayor.

But Khan argues enforcement is only one part of the solution. The VRU has focused heavily on prevention – funding over 450,000 positive opportunities for young people, from youth workers in schools to community activities that steer young Londoners away from exploitation and violence. That work has coincided with:

- 40% drop in hospital admissions for knife assaults among under-25s.

- 16% fall in personal robberies.

This summer, the VRU also launched Holiday Hope, a £6m scheme giving at-risk young people safe spaces and structured activities during school breaks.

Community and youth leaders echoed the importance of prevention:

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Nothing is more important to me than keeping Londoners safe and it is encouraging that we have had the fewest number of homicides in London across June, July and August in years, with no under-25 homicides during the school summer holiday period. 

“The summer months are traditionally a very challenging time of year with young people more at risk of exploitation and violence, but through London’s Violence Reduction Unit and the Met Police we’ve been working incredibly hard with partners across the capital to provide support and help.

 “These latest figures show that this work is making a difference, but I’m very clear that one death is one too many and I will continue to do all I can with our partners to tackle violence and its causes, as we build a safer London for everyone.”

Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service Sir Mark Rowley, said: “Thanks to the efforts of the thousands of hardworking Met officers and staff, our sustained crackdown on violent crime is working. Homicide is at a 10-year low, violent incidents in which people are injured are down by a fifth – proportionally lower than any other UK city – and firearms discharges are less than half the level they were seven years ago.

“That’s because we’re proactively targeting dangerous offenders and dismantling organised crime groups, while safeguarding those at risk of exploitation. As a result, less people are being killed and injured and our city is safer.

“We’re not complacent and we will never stop the fight against serious violence. One senseless death is one too many.”

Lib Peck, Director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit, said: “We are committed to working in partnership across London to tackle violence and deliver what young people need to stay safe and to thrive.

“With the support of the Mayor, prevention and early intervention both play a key role in London’s approach and we will continue to invest in youth work and opportunities for young people.

“Whilst there have been positive signs, it’s clear there is more to do and we’re determined to do everything we can because we firmly believe that violence is preventable, not inevitable.”

Patrick Green, CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust, said: "This is encouraging news, and it highlights the vital role the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) plays in reducing knife crime. The Mayor and his VRU’s focus on prevention and early intervention has been key to strengthening the vital work of frontline organisations. This data is a powerful sign that their long-term strategy is working, and we are proud to be a partner in making London safer."

Sam Bosede, Director of Operations at Wickers and Rise Up East, member of the VRU’s MyEnds programme in Hackney, said: “Summer programmes for young people in Hackney have made a powerful, positive impact in our communities. By engaging young people early, these initiatives are proving that prevention works.

“With more safe, structured, and inspiring opportunities available, we've seen a real shift. Incidents of violence, including stabbings and shootings, have decreased during the summer months. These programmes provide not just activities, but real pathways to growth, confidence, and connection, giving young people the tools and support they need to thrive. This is what community safety and empowerment in action looks like and young people are at the forefront of delivering the services.”

Shalina Alabaksh, programme manager of the New Era Croydon MyEnds consortium, said: “It’s been another fantastic summer of opportunity, positivity and impact with so many young Londoners benefiting from meaningful engagement with activities and youth workers.

“There is still a lot to do but prevention is better than reaction and we welcome the findings off the back of this summer.

“We are proud to play a part in keeping London safe and look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the VRU and our local partners here in Croydon.”

The bottom line

London’s progress shows that investment in both tough enforcement and early intervention can make a measurable difference. But City Hall, police, and community partners agree: the work is far from over.

Photo by Cheeseburger296, Wikimedia commons.