Violence against women and girls in London has increased by 39% over the past decade, rising from 74,526 offences in 2014 to 103,089 in 2025, according to Metropolitan Police data.
Furthermore, the figures reveal that Westminster has experienced the most pronounced rise, with offences increasing by around 68% during the same period.
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) includes offences such as domestic abuse, harassment, sexual violence and trafficking. The most common VAWG-related offences recorded by the Metropolitan Police since 2019 have been stalking and harassment.
Behind the numbers are the women whose everyday lives are impacted. A 21-year-old woman from Harrow described being followed while travelling home from work.
She said: “You feel really scared, but also doubt yourself at the same time, like, is this guy really following me?”
“I tried to just keep my head down so he wouldn’t notice me, but he followed me all the way back from work on the bus and to the train station. I eventually managed to lose him in the crowd. I tried to take alternative routes home ever since that incident.”
She chose not to report the incident to the police, so her experience is not reflected in official crime statistics.
She said, “I didn’t really have any evidence or even know who he was. It might sound grim, but you almost come to expect it when you step out in London.”
Something similar has happened to a few of my friends, so you just get on with it. It didn’t seem serious enough to report, but it does reflect the city’s broader atmosphere.”
While many experiences like hers go unreported, official figures show recorded offences in London continue to rise.
Building on previous years, the trend seems to be continuing into 2026, with Croydon recording 788 VAWG offences so far this year, the highest number of any borough.
Newham followed with 707 reported cases, while Westminster recorded 645 incidents between January and February.
When population is considered, Westminster records the highest rate of violence against women in London.
With around 102,100 women living in the borough, this equates to roughly 43 offences per 1,000 women, compared with around 25 per 1,000 in Croydon.
At the same time, the increase in reported offences has raised questions about how effectively cases are being investigated and resolved.
The Metropolitan Police say tackling violence against women and girls is now a central priority. Under its Action Plan, the force has introduced measures to strengthen investigations and improve outcomes for victims.
These include expanding specialist teams and adding 565 officers and staff to focus on domestic abuse, rape, and stalking.
Police data shows the positive outcome rate for VAWG cases has risen by less than 3% since 2022. A positive outcome means that police action results in a charge, a caution, or another formal resolution against a suspect.
In 2024, the Met also introduced Digital Interview Recording (DIR) kits to streamline the collection of victim statements and improve investigators’ access to evidence.
The portable kits allow victims to give statements in locations where they feel more comfortable and can also facilitate remote identification procedures, helping officers gather stronger evidence.
Commander Stephen Clayman, who leads the rollout of the technology, said: “The equipment has allowed us to capture evidence in an environment which puts the victims first, giving us the relevant and vital evidence we need to catch a perpetrator.
“This hopefully alleviates some pressure during what is already an incredibly hard process for them.”
Despite improved reporting and investigation, the data reveal stark geographic disparities across the capital.
In 2025, 6 London boroughs accounted for 25% of all reported cases. These boroughs were Croydon, Westminster, Tower Hamlets, Lewisham, Newham, and Southwark.
At the other end of the spectrum is Richmond upon Thames, which has the fewest reported cases in 2025 and so far this year, with 211 cases.
Despite Westminster often being considered affluent, 34 of its 128 neighbourhoods are among the 20% most income-deprived areas of England. With 30% of its residents living in income deprivation.
This creates a stark contrast with boroughs like Richmond upon Thames, which has among the lowest income deprivation rates in London and only 13 incidents per 1,000 women.
Despite some areas recording lower rates than others, the data as a whole suggests violence against women and girls remains a rising issue across the capital.
However, greater cultural awareness, open discussion of gender-based violence, improved policing, and higher reporting rates may mark a shift towards a more proactive approach and stronger efforts to address violence against women and girls.
Featured image credit: Josh Howard on Unsplash
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