August M
London is becoming safer, not more dangerous, Britain’s most senior police officer has said, pushing back against claims of a violent crime wave promoted by foreign politicians and online commentators.
New figures show a sustained decline in serious violence, even as public perceptions of crime remain strained.
Police point to data
According to Reuters, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said London’s homicide rate has dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade.
On a per capita basis, he said, the capital is safer than cities such as Los Angeles and New York, as well as many European capitals.
Police data shows there were 97 homicides in London in 2025, an 11% fall compared with 2024. Violent incidents resulting in injury have dropped by about 20% since 2014, figures cited by Reuters show.
Rowley said the trend was supported by both police statistics and hospital admission data.
Online narratives challenged
In an article for The Times, Rowley criticised claims circulating online about lawlessness in the capital.
“Despite claims circulated online, including AI-generated videos creating fictional violent scenarios, some commentators promote a narrative that suits them, regardless that the facts tell a very different story,” he wrote.
The remarks come amid growing concern among UK officials about the impact of misleading online content on public trust.
Trump and Musk remarks
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised London’s leadership on crime. In November, he suggested there were “no-go” areas for police and accused Mayor Sadiq Khan of “letting crime go”.
“Look at the crime you have in London,” Trump told GB News. “Today you have people being stabbed in the ass or worse.”
Reuters also noted that X owner Elon Musk told a right-wing rally in London via video link in September that “violence is coming”.
City hall response
London mayor Sadiq Khan welcomed the latest figures, saying they showed progress in tackling serious violence.
“In London, the evidence is clear, we’re winning the battle against violent crime,” Khan wrote in The Guardian on Monday.
City officials have long argued that international comparisons and long-term trends are often ignored in political debates about safety.
Public concerns persist
Despite falling violence, many Londoners continue to feel crime is rising. Reuters noted that offences such as shoplifting reached a record high last year, contributing to the perception that law and order is deteriorating.
Police acknowledge that while serious violence is down, everyday crime remains a major concern for the public.
Sources: Reuters
