Labour’s policing minister has praised a 10% decline in knife crime reports within a year, as newly released data indicates a decrease in homicides in England and Wales. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data also shows a slight drop in shoplifting reports following a previous surge to record levels.
Over the 12 months leading to December 2025, there were 49,151 blade-related offenses, marking a decrease from 54,548 the year before. Additionally, homicides decreased by 6% to 503 in England and Wales during that period.
Although robberies involving knives also saw a decline, the Home Office aims to sustain this improvement according to Ms. Jones. The Labour party had committed to reducing knife crime by half within a decade upon assuming power in 2024.
There were signs of improvement regarding the shop theft issue after years of escalating numbers. Reported cases dropped by 1%, yet still amounted to nearly 510,000 within a year. Notably, the overall arrest rate for shoplifting suspects increased by 17%, attributed to heightened town center patrols as per separate Home Office data.
Knife-related killings decreased by 21% to 172 incidents, and the homicide rate dropped to 8.1 per million individuals, down from 8.9 in 2024. The total number of knife offenses is 11% lower compared to 2020, as highlighted by ONS experts.
Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones stated to The Mirror: “The Government is committed to halving knife crime over the next decade, and the latest figures demonstrate significant progress. Knife-related homicides are on a decline, down by 27% since the start of this parliamentary term.”
She further emphasized, “Knife-enabled offenses have decreased by 10% in the past year, equating to nearly 5,400 fewer traumatic incidents, the lowest since 2021.”
The data reveals a 15% reduction in robberies involving knives, credited to the efforts of a new Knife-Enabled Robbery Taskforce targeting high-risk areas.
Ms. Jones added, “While these statistics are encouraging, we acknowledge this is just the beginning, and sustained progress is essential.” The Government recently unveiled its strategy to combat knife crime, including a £26 million investment in a Knife Crime Concentrations Fund supporting 27 police forces covering 90% of knife crime areas in England and Wales.
Moreover, 250 schools in high-risk locations will receive specialized training and support to ensure children’s safety. By the end of the current parliamentary term, there will be 50 Young Futures Hubs in the most affected areas, offering crucial support and safe spaces for individuals under 18.
These initiatives aim to prevent young people from engaging in criminal activities. According to the policing minister, in conjunction with proposed police reforms, these actions will enhance response times, improve effectiveness, and prioritize public safety, addressing the root causes of violence alongside criminal activities.
Ms. Jones concluded, “While there is more work ahead, it is evident that progress is being made.” ONS figures indicated an 11% decrease in thefts, with domestic burglary declining by 22% and vehicle theft by 14%. The estimated number of fraud cases stood at 4.4 million, up from 4.1 million in 2024.
Statisticians estimated that serious crime numbers totaled 9.6 million, reflecting no significant change from the 2024 figures.