London Mayor Sadiq Khan has expressed his dismay at the negative portrayal of London despite new statistics indicating a significant decrease in homicides.

The latest data released today shows that the total number of killings has fallen to a 14-year low and has reached the lowest level proportionate to the population since records began. Khan stated, “Despite efforts to undermine London’s reputation, the facts paint a different picture.”

He highlighted that last year, London recorded the lowest murder rate per capita in history, the fewest murders of individuals under 25 this century, and one of the lowest homicide numbers in almost thirty years.

Khan attributed the success in crime reduction to the adoption of technologies such as facial recognition and targeted initiatives against gangs, leading to an additional 1,000 arrests monthly by the Metropolitan Police. In 2025, there were 97 homicides, marking an 11% decrease from the previous year and the lowest total since 2014, despite London’s population growth of over 500,000 in the same period.

The capital’s homicide rate currently stands at 1.1 per 100,000 people, notably lower than rates in other major cities like New York, Berlin, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Toronto. Khan emphasized, “The outcomes speak for themselves: fewer lives lost, fewer families devastated. While every murder is tragic, we remain committed to utilizing all available resources to combat serious violence.”

According to the data, Metropolitan Police detectives achieved an impressive 95% solve rate last year. Lib Peck, director of London’s violence reduction unit (VRU), commented on the positive trend, saying, “Despite concerns about safety in London, homicide levels have reached historic lows, and violence continues to decline. While there is room for improvement, the data from last year demonstrates consistent progress.”

The VRU carried out more than 550,000 targeted interventions last year to prevent young individuals from getting involved in gangs and violence. Khan emphasized the effectiveness of their approach, stating, “Our sustained efforts to address both crime and its root causes are clearly yielding positive results.”

The positive data comes in response to criticisms by Reform mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham, who recently claimed that London’s safety has declined. She expressed concerns about the city’s reputation, contrasting the current perception with the thriving London she recalls from her youth.