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Knife crime in England and Wales drops by 10%, data shows
The decline came as two-thirds of police forces recorded fewer knife offences, with the Metropolitan Police, Greater Manchester and West Midlands among the biggest falls.
- The Office for National Statistics reported Thursday that knife-related homicides fell 21% in 2025, reaching 172 deaths—the lowest annual level since comparable records began in 2010-11.
- A Home Office mandate reclassifying shoplifting involving threats or violence as robbery of business property likely drove a 78% surge in such offences, rising from 14,691 to 26,158 in 2025.
- Crime and policing minister Sarah Jones reported a 1% decline in shoplifting to 509,566 offences, stating, "Shoplifting is down on last year," while 17% more charges were filed.
- Shadow home secretary Chris Philp called shoplifting "the defining symbol of Labour's breakdown of law and order," claiming shop workers face excessive risk when confronting thieves.
- Total recorded crime in England and Wales dropped 2% to 5.24 million offences in 2025, though the Metropolitan Police recorded 13,994 knife offences, reflecting persistent regional variation.
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