Labour’s policing minister has praised the decrease in knife crime reports by 10% within a year, alongside a drop in homicides in England and Wales. According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), shoplifting reports have also slightly declined after reaching record levels.
In the 12-month period ending in December 2025, there were 49,151 incidents involving blades, down from 54,548 the previous year, and homicides decreased by 6% to 503 in England and Wales during that timeframe.
Although robberies involving knives also saw a decline, Ms. Jones from the Home Office emphasized the need for sustained efforts to bring about lasting change. The Labour Party had committed to reducing knife crime by half within ten years since coming into power in 2024.
Reports indicate a slight improvement in the shop theft situation after years of continuous increases. The number of reported cases decreased by 1%, totaling nearly 510,000 within a year. Furthermore, the overall charge rate for shoplifting suspects rose by 17%, attributed to enhanced town center patrols per separate Home Office data.
Knife-related killings plummeted by 21% to 172, leading to a decrease in the homicide rate to 8.1 per million people, down from 8.9 in 2024. ONS experts discovered that total knife offenses are now 11% lower than in 2020.
Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones, speaking to The Mirror, stated, “This Government aims to halve knife crime over the next decade, and the latest statistics demonstrate significant progress. Knife-related homicides continue to decline, showing a 27% drop since the beginning of this Parliament.”
She highlighted a 10% reduction in knife-enabled offenses over the past year, translating to nearly 5,400 fewer traumatic incidents, marking the lowest count since 2021. Robberies involving knives also decreased by 15%, attributed to the efforts of a new Knife-Enabled Robbery Taskforce targeting high-risk areas.
Ms. Jones pointed out, “While these statistics are encouraging, we acknowledge that this is just the beginning, and sustained progress is essential.” Earlier this month, the Government unveiled its strategy to combat knife crime, including a £26 million investment in a Knife Crime Concentrations Fund supporting 27 police forces covering 90% of knife crime in England and Wales.
Additionally, 250 schools in high-risk areas will receive specialized training and support to ensure children’s safety. The Government also pledged to establish 50 Young Futures Hubs in the most affected regions by the end of the current Parliament, providing crucial support and safe spaces for individuals under 18.
These initiatives aim to prevent young individuals from resorting to criminal activities. The policing minister emphasized, “Alongside our proposed police reforms that will enable officers to respond quicker, operate more efficiently, and remain focused on ensuring public safety, we are addressing the root causes of violence in addition to the crimes themselves.”
She concluded, “While there is more work ahead, it is evident that progress is being made.” ONS figures revealed an 11% reduction in thefts, with domestic burglary dropping by 22% and vehicle theft decreasing by 14%. Fraud cases were estimated at 4.4 million, up from 4.1 million in 2024.
Statisticians estimated that the total number of serious crimes remained steady at 9.6 million, showing no significant change from the 2024 figures.
