The Mayor of London has responded to politicians “disseminating false information” regarding safety in the city, as new statistics reveal a decline in violent crime across all boroughs over the last year.
Data from City Hall compared the period ending in August 2025 to the prior 12 months and indicated that there were nearly 9,000 fewer instances of injury-causing crimes citywide—a reduction of nearly 12%.
Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Sir Sadiq Khan, asserting that he was doing a “poor job” and claiming that “crime in London is skyrocketing.”
The Conservative Party dismissed the notion of increased safety in the capital, arguing that the statistics were selectively chosen by the Labour-controlled London Assembly.
Sir Sadiq emphasized that “the evidence is unequivocal” regarding the effectiveness of current crime-fighting strategies.
“Violent crime resulting in injury has decreased in every single borough of London, and this reflects the extraordinary efforts of our brave police force,” he stated.
He noted that police have been apprehending an additional 1,000 suspects each month, and initiatives led by London’s violence reduction unit have provided over 450,000 constructive opportunities to steer young individuals away from violence and exploitation.
The homicide rate is at a ten-year low, comparing the 12-month period ending in June this year with the year leading up to May 2016.
Sir Sadiq remarked that “even a single death or crime is unacceptable” and emphasized that City Hall is collaborating with the government to “enhance this progress.”
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Rachel Williams stated that the force is focusing on the most dangerous individuals, disrupting criminal networks, and prioritizing prevention to safeguard those at highest risk.
“This is why we see fewer injuries, fewer lives lost, and why London is becoming a safer city,” she explained.
However, shadow home secretary Chris Philp contended that “Sadiq Khan appears to be the only one who believes there is no crime issue in London.”
“He selectively interprets his statistics, hoping that Londoners will overlook the fact that knife crime has surged by 86% during his tenure, stop-and-search operations have decreased by over 50%, and that London now accounts for nearly half of all knife-point robberies in England.”
“Under this Labour mayor, criminals feel emboldened.”
“Only one in twenty robberies is solved, fewer criminals are facing imprisonment, and over 1,000 officers have been cut from the Metropolitan Police, with Sir Mark Rowley warning of potential further reductions this year.
“Londoners don’t feel a sense of safety because it is not a safer place.”
The data also suggested that Londoners are less likely to fall victim to violent crime than those living in the rest of England and Wales.
While all 32 boroughs in the capital have experienced reductions, Havering in east London saw the most significant decline, with a 16.3% drop in such crimes, followed closely by Enfield in north London, which experienced a 16.1% reduction.
Greenwich recorded the smallest decrease at 4.3%, and Kensington and Chelsea experienced a 4.6% drop.
The statistics provided by City Hall pertain to violent crimes that result in injury, meaning incidents like knifepoint robberies without injury are not included.
