Great news for safety in England and Wales! Homicides have dropped to their lowest level since police started recording them in the current way back in 2003. Between June 2024 and June 2025, 518 homicides were noted, a 6% decrease from the previous year and a significant fall from the pre-pandemic total of 710. What does this mean? Fewer incidents of murder and manslaughter, bringing the homicide rate to just 8.4 per million, levels not seen since the 1970s!
But there’s more to the story. Knife offences have also decreased by 5% year on year. On the flip side, crimes like shoplifting and theft from the person increased, with shoplifting hitting 529,994 cases – just shy of the recent record.
Sara Jones, the crime and policing minister, is hopeful, highlighting this government’s progress on youth protection and knife crime reduction. However, she acknowledges there’s still work to be done, especially in tackling the surge in shop thefts and supporting victims of fraud.
Speaking of fraud, it’s a growing concern. The ONS Crime Survey points to a whopping 14% rise, with fake transactions and account fraud leading the way. Despite these challenges, overall crime remains lower than its peak in 2016/17.
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is urging stronger police responses and is pushing the government to initiate its “Winter of Action” against shoplifting. Meanwhile, Victim Support’s Katie Kempen warns of the severe impact fraud can have on individuals, affecting mental health and shattering trust.
While the road ahead demands vigilance and continued efforts, the drop in homicides gives us a glimmer of hope for a safer future. Let’s keep the momentum going and work towards safer communities for all! 🌟