London has seen 100 homicides so far this year. The London Assembly Police and Crime Committee is currently investigating how we can reduce violence across the capital.
New analysis shows that so far this year:
- Violence among households was just as much an issue as other types of violence: of the 100 cases 38 homicides happened in the street, 35 in the home.
- Just one homicide took place in a bar or club while two happened in a shop
- 59 homicides involved a knife, and 10 involved a gun
- Around half of the victims of homicide were aged over 25
Steve O’Connell AM, Chairman of the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee said:
“Londoners are rightly deeply troubled by the level of violence taking place in the capital.
“We have reached an awful total of 100 homicides this year. The overwhelming use of knives in these killings presents a severe challenge to the police and our community.
“We can’t forget that not all violence involves young people, and not all of it takes place on our streets.
“We must take a long hard look at the causes of violence in all its forms.”
Notes to editors
- Locations and weapons used
- Homicides include murder and manslaughter
- Steve O’Connell AM, Chairman of the Police and Crime Committee, is available for interview – see contact details below.
- The London Assembly unanimously supports the introduction of a Domestic Abusers Register and has lobbied the government to include it in its new Domestic Abuse Bill.
- Just as many victims - 33 - have been aged 25 to 50, as 18 to 25.
- Knife crime offences – hit about 8,700 between January and July
- The Police and Crime Committee has launched an urgent investigation into Violent Crime.
- London Assembly Police and Crime Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Howard Wheeler on 020 7983 5769 [email protected] For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.
Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.