Killings involving knives or sharp implements dropped by 23% year on year, ONS figures show
The total number of homicides in England and Wales has fallen to its lowest level since records began after a dramatic drop in killings involving a knife or sharp implement.
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show 499 homicides were recorded by police in the 12 months to September 2025, a drop of 7% year on year from 539. These are the lowest overall homicide figures since records were first recorded in 2003.
Homicide involving a knife or sharp instrument in England and Wales has fallen by 23% to 174 in the year. Knife crime has also fallen, dropping by 9% to 50,430 offences in the year to September, compared with 55,149 in the previous 12 months.
The government announced on Thursday that it had created nearly 3,000 extra prison places since it came into office in July 2024, and was on track to hit its goal of 14,000.
