Teenage homicide has fallen to its joint lowest level in almost three decades in 2025, with eight victims recorded in total, according to the Met Police.
This represents a 73% decrease compared to the record high 30 victims of teenage homicide recorded in 2021.
However, Katie Mitchell, Deputy CEO of Safer London, a youth violence prevention charity, said we should look beyond this ‘positive figure’.
She said: “These types of stats can paint one picture, but the problem of youth violence is not solved in London.”
“Even though the statistics from some serious incidents have fallen, there are signs of increasing poverty, a lack of options, and systemic inequality, which are very much deeply rooted in society.
“The exploitation of young people is still increasing, and that’s really important to have in mind when we look at these types of figures.”
Public health approach to youth violence
One reason cited by the Met police for the decrease in teen homicide is the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), which relies on prevention and early intervention to tackle the causes of crime.
Mitchell said Safer London has in fact been commissioned by the VRU to provide support to children and young people who have already experienced harm across all London boroughs.
She said: “There is long term support that is required for many young Londoners, and many of them are coming to us having experienced significant harm and exploitation.”
By trying to understand the circumstances that lead to violence and young people losing their lives, Safer London is advocating for a public health approach to violence, treating it as something that can be prevented instead of only reacted to.
Mitchell said: “So it could be that the public health approach is starting to be effective, which is pretty positive.”
Homicide numbers for all age groups
Homicide numbers in general have decreased in the city in 2025, with 97 victims recorded throughout the year, the lowest figure since 2014 and second lowest since homicide records started.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “Many people have been trying to talk London down, but the evidence tells a very different story.
“Last year London had the lowest murder rate per capita since records began, the fewest murders of those aged under 25 this century, and one of the lowest number of homicides for almost three decades.
“But we are not complacent. One death will always be one too many.”
Featured image credit: Lavi Perchik via Unsplash
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