London's Safety: What the Numbers Really Say

London's Top Cop Shares Good News

Despite common perceptions, crime in London is actually on the decline. Mark Rowley, the head of the London police, recently shared statistics indicating that the city is becoming safer.

• Murder rates are at their lowest in over a decade.
• When adjusted for population, London's murder rate is lower than in Los Angeles and New York.

Contrasting Views

However, not everyone agrees with this assessment. Notable figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk have painted a different picture.

• Donald Trump has described London as dangerous, even claiming there are areas police wouldn't enter.
• Elon Musk warned about potential violence in London during a speech to a right-wing group.

The Role of Misinformation

Rowley attributes the discrepancy between perception and reality to misinformation. Fake videos and stories are often shared to push certain agendas, even when the facts don't support them. He emphasized the importance of looking at real data in an article for The Times.

The Numbers Don't Lie

• Serious violent crime in London has decreased.
• Murders in 2025 were fewer than the previous year.
• Overall violent crime has been declining since 2014.

Mayor Sadiq Khan also weighed in, stating in The Guardian that London is winning the fight against violent crime.

A Shift in Crime Trends

While serious crime is down, other types of crime are on the rise.

• Shoplifting has reached record highs.
• This shift in crime types may contribute to the public's perception that crime is worse than it actually is.