Crime in United Kingdom 2025
The crime landscape across the United Kingdom continues to evolve with shifting patterns that reflect both societal changes and enforcement priorities throughout 2025. Understanding these trends becomes crucial for residents, policymakers, and businesses navigating the complex security environment. The year ending March 2025 presents a comprehensive picture of criminal activity through data collected by the Office for National Statistics and police forces across England and Wales, offering insights into everything from violent offences to emerging digital threats.
Recent statistics reveal that while long-term trends show decreases in traditional crime categories over the past decade, specific offence types have experienced notable increases during the 2025 reporting period. The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) estimated approximately 9.4 million incidents of headline crime for the year ending March 2025, marking a 7% increase compared to the previous year. This rise primarily stems from a significant surge in fraud offences, which reached the highest level since measurement began in 2017. Meanwhile, police recorded 6.6 million crimes during the same period, with particular concerns emerging around retail theft and hate crimes targeting vulnerable communities.
Key Crime Stats & Facts in the UK 2025
| Crime Statistic | Figure (Year Ending March 2025) | Year-on-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| Total CSEW Headline Crime Incidents | 9.4 million | +7% |
| Total Police Recorded Crime | 6.6 million | No significant change |
| Homicide Offences | 535 | -6% |
| Knife-Enabled Crime | 53,047 offences | -1% |
| Firearms Offences | 5,103 offences | -21% |
| Shoplifting Offences | 530,643 | +20% |
| Fraud Incidents (CSEW) | 4.2 million | +31% |
| Sexual Offences (Police Recorded) | 209,556 | +11% |
| Robbery Offences | 78,804 | -3% |
| Domestic Abuse Prevalence | 7.8% of adults (3.8 million people) | No significant change |
| Hate Crime Offences | 115,990 (excluding Met Police) | +2% |
| Computer Misuse Incidents (CSEW) | 692,000 | -32% |
Data Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS) – Crime in England and Wales: Year Ending March 2025
Understanding Crime Statistics in the UK 2025
The 2025 crime statistics demonstrate a mixed picture where overall crime trends diverge significantly depending on the measurement source and crime type examined. The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) provides the most reliable indicator of crime trends because it captures both reported and unreported crimes experienced by households and individuals aged 16 years and over. For the year ending March 2025, headline CSEW crime increased by 7% to 9.4 million incidents, driven almost entirely by fraud offences which jumped by 31% to reach 4.2 million incidents—the highest figure recorded since fraud data collection began.
In contrast, traditional crime categories continue their long-term decline. Violence with or without injury remained stable at 1.1 million incidents according to CSEW data, representing a 36% decrease compared to a decade ago and a 75% reduction from the peak in 1995. Theft offences similarly showed no significant change at 2.8 million incidents, though this figure stands 30% lower than in 2015 and 76% below the 1995 peak. Police recorded crime statistics paint a slightly different picture, remaining relatively flat at 6.6 million offences for the year ending March 2025, similar to the previous year but significantly higher than the 4.2 million recorded in 2015. This divergence reflects improved police recording practices rather than genuine increases in crime, particularly for violent and sexual offences where victim reporting confidence has grown.
Violent Crime in the UK 2025
Violence Against the Person Statistics 2025
| Violence Category | CSEW Incidents | Police Recorded | Change vs 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violence with or without injury | 1.1 million | 1.34 million | No significant change (CSEW) |
| Violence with injury | Not specified | 520,071 offences | -7% |
| Violence without injury | Not specified | 817,525 offences | No change |
| Stranger violence prevalence | 0.8% of adults | N/A | No significant change |
| Acquaintance violence prevalence | 0.4% of adults | N/A | Decreased from 0.5% |
Data Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS) – Crime in England and Wales: Year Ending March 2025
The violence landscape in the UK during 2025 shows continuing improvements in public safety despite media narratives suggesting otherwise. The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated 1.1 million incidents of violence with or without injury for the year ending March 2025, showing no statistically significant change from the previous year. This figure represents a substantial 36% reduction compared to ten years ago when 1.7 million incidents were recorded, and a dramatic 75% decrease from the peak of 4.5 million incidents in December 1995. The survey reveals that approximately 0.8% of adults aged 16 and over were victims of stranger violence, with no significant change year-on-year, while acquaintance violence affected 0.4% of adults, showing a decrease from the previous year’s 0.5%.
Police recorded data tells a complementary story with 520,071 violence with injury offences recorded for the year ending March 2025, representing a 7% decrease from the previous year. Violence without injury remained stable at 817,525 offences. The National Violence Surveillance Network provides additional context, estimating that 145,271 people attended emergency units across England and Wales for treatment of violence-related injuries in the year ending December 2024, a 2.4% increase from the previous year but still 31% lower than in 2014. Notably, around 42.5% of all violence against the person offences recorded in the year ending March 2025 were closed because victims did not support police action, slightly higher than the 41.9% reported in the previous year, highlighting the complex relationship between victims and the criminal justice system.
Homicide Statistics in the UK 2025
Homicide and Weapon-Related Offences 2025
| Offence Type | Total Offences | Rate per Million Population | Change vs 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Homicide Offences | 535 | 8.8 per million | -6% |
| Knife-related Homicides | 204 | N/A | -23% |
| Percentage of homicides involving knives | 40% | N/A | Down from 46% |
| Total Knife-Enabled Crime | 53,047 | N/A | -1% |
| Firearms Offences | 5,103 | N/A | -21% |
| Imitation Firearms Offences | 1,907 | N/A | -30% |
Data Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS) & Home Office – Crime in England and Wales: Year Ending March 2025
Homicide statistics for 2025 bring cautiously optimistic news, with police recording 535 homicide offences in the year ending March 2025, representing a 6% decrease from 567 offences in the previous year. This figure sits at a similar level to a decade ago when 539 offences were recorded in the year ending March 2015, and represents the lowest number since the year ending March 2014 which saw 533 offences. The homicide rate stands at 8.8 per one million people, down from 9.4 in 2024. Significantly, knives or sharp instruments were used in 40% of homicides during 2025, a notable drop from 46% in the previous year, with knife-related homicides falling by 23% to 204 offences compared to 265 offences in 2024.
Knife-enabled crime overall decreased by 1% in the year ending March 2025 to 53,047 offences, compared with 53,685 offences in the previous year, sitting 4% lower than the 55,170 offences recorded in 2020. Most knife-enabled crimes involved assault with injury and assault with intent to cause serious harm (43%) and robbery (42%), with fewer than 1% being homicide offences (0.4%). Geographically, the Metropolitan Police Service recorded 31% of all knife offences, reporting a 9% increase to 16,297 offences, while the West Midlands Police saw a 15% decrease to 4,469 offences. Firearms offences showed even more encouraging trends, decreasing by 21% to 5,103 offences in the year ending March 2025, the lowest level since 2015 when 4,911 offences were recorded. The largest fall occurred in imitation firearms offences, which decreased by 30% to 1,907 offences.
Theft and Burglary in the UK 2025
Theft Offences Breakdown 2025
| Theft Category | CSEW Incidents | Police Recorded | Year-on-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Theft Offences | 2.8 million | 1.8 million | No significant change (CSEW) |
| Shoplifting | N/A | 530,643 | +20% |
| Theft from Person | N/A | 151,220 | +15% |
| Vehicle-Related Theft | N/A | 350,070 | -8% |
| Burglary (all types) | N/A | 245,284 | -8% |
| Bicycle Theft | N/A | Not specified | No significant change |
| Theft from Outside Dwelling | 622,000 | N/A | +20% |
Data Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS) – Crime in England and Wales: Year Ending March 2025
Theft offences present a contrasting picture in 2025, with overall levels remaining stable while specific categories surge dramatically. The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated 2.8 million theft incidents for the year ending March 2025, showing no statistically significant change from the previous year’s 2.7 million incidents. However, this figure represents a 30% decrease compared to the 4.0 million incidents recorded in 2015 and a remarkable 76% reduction from the peak of 11.6 million incidents in December 1995. The survey identified no significant changes in major theft categories including theft from the person, other theft of personal property, domestic burglary, vehicle-related theft, or bicycle theft, though theft from outside a dwelling increased by 20% to approximately 622,000 incidents.
Police recorded data reveals a more nuanced situation with 1.8 million theft offences recorded for the year ending March 2025, unchanged from the previous year overall but with dramatic increases in specific categories. Shoplifting reached a record high of 530,643 offences, representing a 20% increase from the previous year’s 444,022 offences and marking the highest figure since current police recording practices began in the year ending March 2003. This surge translates to approximately 10,000 thefts weekly or roughly 1,400 daily incidents during standard retail operating hours. Theft from the person similarly increased by 15% to 151,220 offences, also reaching the highest level since 2003. These increases occurred while other theft categories declined: vehicle offences decreased by 8% to 350,070 offences, and burglary fell by 8% to 245,284 offences, encompassing both residential and non-residential burglaries.
Sexual Offences in the UK 2025
Sexual Offences Statistics 2025
| Sexual Offence Measure | Figure | Prevalence/Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police Recorded Sexual Offences | 209,556 | N/A | +11% |
| Rape Offences (Police Recorded) | 71,667 (34% of sexual offences) | N/A | +6% |
| Sexual Assault Prevalence (CSEW) | 900,000 people | 1.9% of adults 16+ | No significant change |
| Sexual Assault Prevalence (16-59 years) | N/A | 2.4% | Increased from 1.7% in 2015 |
| Victim Support Actions (Sexual Offences) | 31.0% closed due to victim withdrawal | N/A | N/A |
| Historical Offences Proportion | 20% recorded over 1 year after occurrence | N/A | Down from 21% |
Data Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS) – Crime in England and Wales: Year Ending March 2025
Sexual offences remain a critical concern in the UK during 2025, with police recorded data showing an 11% increase to 209,556 offences in the year ending March 2025, compared with 188,627 offences in the previous year. This increase continues the upward trend observed over the last decade, though experts attribute this rise primarily to improvements in police recording practices and increased confidence among victims to report these deeply personal crimes rather than reflecting genuine increases in offending. Rape offences specifically increased by 6% to 71,667 offences, accounting for approximately 34% of all sexual offences recorded by police during 2025. Notably, there was a small decrease in the proportion of police recorded sexual offences that had taken place over a year before the crime was recorded, down to 20% from 21% in the previous year.
The Crime Survey for England and Wales provides alternative insights through its self-completion module, which offers a more reliable measure of sexual assault trends. For the year ending March 2025, the survey estimated that 1.9% of people aged 16 years and over had experienced sexual assault (including attempted offences) in the previous year, equivalent to approximately 900,000 people. This represents no statistically significant change compared to the previous year’s survey. When examining long-term trends using the 16 to 59 years age range for comparability, the 2025 survey shows that 2.4% of people in this age group experienced sexual assault, representing an increase from 1.7% in the 2015 survey. The data reveals concerning case outcomes, with around 31.0% of sexual offences closed because victims did not support further police action against a suspect, highlighting the complex challenges victims face in pursuing justice.
Robbery Statistics in the UK 2025
Robbery Offences by Type 2025
| Robbery Category | Police Recorded Offences | CSEW Incidents | Change vs 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Robbery | 78,804 | 83,000 | -3% (Police) / No significant change (CSEW) |
| Robbery of Personal Property | 63,284 | N/A | -10% |
| Robbery of Business Property | 15,520 | N/A | +50% |
| Robbery as % of Police Recorded Crime | 1.2% | N/A | N/A |
Data Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS) – Crime in England and Wales: Year Ending March 2025
Robbery statistics for 2025 reveal diverging trends between personal and business-targeted offences. Police recorded 78,804 robbery offences in the year ending March 2025, representing a 3% decrease compared to the previous year’s 81,022 offences. However, this overall decline masks a significant 50% increase in robbery of business property, which rose to 15,520 offences, while robbery of personal property decreased by 10% to 63,284 offences. The overall robbery figure remains 13% lower than levels recorded in 2020, suggesting that while business robberies have surged, personal robberies have declined sufficiently to offset this increase.
The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated 83,000 robbery incidents for the year ending March 2025, showing no statistically significant change compared to the previous year’s survey. Police data are generally preferred for tracking robbery trends because CSEW estimates are subject to year-to-year volatility due to the relatively small number of victims found in the survey sample. Robbery, defined as the use of force or threat of force to attempt or complete a theft, accounts for approximately 1.2% of all police recorded crime but represents a particularly distressing experience for victims due to its confrontational nature. The 50% surge in business property robbery during 2025 has raised concerns among retail organizations and small business owners, particularly in urban areas where organized criminal groups have increasingly targeted commercial premises.
Domestic Abuse Statistics in the UK 2025
Domestic Abuse Prevalence and Police Response 2025
| Domestic Abuse Measure | Figure | Percentage | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Abuse Prevalence | 3.8 million adults | 7.8% of adults 16+ | No significant change vs 2024 |
| Police Recorded Domestic Abuse Offences | 815,941 | N/A | -4% from previous year |
| Violence Against Person (DA-Related) | 634,912 | 33% of all VAP offences | Down from 670,168 |
| Proportion of VAP flagged as DA | N/A | 33% | Same as previous year |
| Victim Withdrawal Rate (DA Cases) | High proportion | 42.5% of VAP offences | Victim did not support action |
Data Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS) – Crime in England and Wales: Year Ending March 2025 | Home Office Crime Outcomes Data
Domestic abuse remains one of the most significant crime concerns in the UK during 2025, affecting an estimated 7.8% of people aged 16 years and over, equivalent to approximately 3.8 million people, who experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2025. This figure represents no statistically significant change compared to the previous year’s survey, suggesting that while awareness and support services have expanded, the underlying prevalence of domestic abuse has not decreased. These estimates derive from a new set of Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) questions implemented to provide a better measure of domestic abuse, making direct comparisons with previously published estimates impossible. The survey’s self-completion module is considered more reliable than police recorded crime data for measuring domestic abuse trends, as many victims do not report incidents to authorities due to fear, shame, or belief that police cannot help.
Police recorded 815,941 offences flagged as domestic abuse-related in the year ending March 2025, including 634,912 violence against the person offences, representing a 4% decrease from the previous year’s 851,062 offences. The decline was primarily driven by fewer violence against the person offences, down from 670,168 in the previous year. Domestic abuse-related offences constituted 33% of all violence against the person offences, the same proportion as the previous year. While this decrease may reflect some genuine falls in these offences, it could also reflect changes in the recording of conduct crimes, a category that includes stalking, harassment, and coercive and controlling behavior. Notably, around 42.5% of all violence against the person offences recorded in the year ending March 2025 were closed because victims did not support police action, highlighting the complex barriers victims face in seeking justice and the challenging dynamics that characterize domestic abuse cases.
Fraud and Cybercrime in the UK 2025
Fraud and Computer Misuse Statistics 2025
| Fraud/Cyber Category | CSEW Incidents | Police/NFIB Recorded | Year-on-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Fraud Incidents | 4.2 million | 1.2 million | +31% (CSEW) / +1% (Police) |
| Bank and Credit Account Fraud | 2.4 million | N/A | +30% |
| Consumer and Retail Fraud | 1.1 million | N/A | +23% |
| Advance Fee Fraud | Part of 1.7 million | N/A | +88% (combined categories since 2017) |
| Fraud Incidents with Loss | 3.0 million | N/A | N/A |
| Victims Fully Reimbursed | 2.1 million | N/A | N/A |
| Computer Misuse Incidents | 692,000 | 55,576 referred | -32% (CSEW) / +36% (Action Fraud) |
| Unauthorised Access to Personal Info | 564,000 | N/A | -36% |
| Fraud Reporting Rate | Only 1 in 8 offences reported to police | 12.5% | N/A |
Data Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS) – Crime in England and Wales: Year Ending March 2025 | National Fraud Intelligence Bureau
Fraud has emerged as the most prevalent crime affecting UK residents in 2025, with the Crime Survey for England and Wales estimating 4.2 million fraud incidents for the year ending March 2025, representing a substantial 31% increase compared to the previous year’s 3.2 million incidents. This figure marks the highest estimated number of fraud incidents since data collection began in the year ending March 2017, now accounting for a significant proportion of all crime experienced by individuals. The surge was primarily driven by a 30% increase in bank and credit account fraud, which rose to approximately 2.4 million incidents, and a 23% increase in consumer and retail fraud, reaching about 1.1 million incidents. Combined consumer and retail fraud, advance fee fraud, and other fraud categories totaled 1.7 million incidents, representing an 88% increase compared to the year ending March 2017.
Of the estimated 4.2 million fraud incidents, around three million involved actual financial loss to victims, though victims were fully reimbursed in 2.1 million of these cases, highlighting the important role of financial institutions in fraud prevention and victim compensation. The CSEW reveals that only one in eight fraud offences were reported to the police or Action Fraud, the public-facing national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre, meaning the true scale of fraud victimization far exceeds official records. In contrast to CSEW estimates, the recorded crime series showed only a 1% increase in fraud offences to 1.2 million offences, driven by a 10% increase in cases referred by Cifas to 381,709 offences. Computer misuse showed an opposite trend, with CSEW estimating around 692,000 incidents, a 32% decrease from the previous year, primarily due to a 36% fall in incidents of unauthorized access to personal information. However, Action Fraud reported a 36% increase in computer misuse offences referred to police, reaching 55,576 offences, with increases in social media and email hacking, personal hacking, and computer virus or malware offences.
Hate Crime in the UK 202
Hate Crime by Monitored Strand 2025
| Hate Crime Strand | Police Recorded (Excluding Met) | Percentage of Total | Change vs 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Race Hate Crime | 82,490 | 71% | +6% |
| Religious Hate Crime | 7,164 | 6% | +3% |
| – Against Muslims | 3,199 | 45% of religious | +19% |
| – Against Jewish People | 1,715 | 24% of religious | -18% (excluding Met) |
| Sexual Orientation Hate Crime | 18,702 | 16% | -2% |
| Disability Hate Crime | 10,224 | 9% | -8% |
| Transgender Hate Crime | 3,809 | 3% | -11% |
| Total Hate Crime (Excluding Met) | 115,990 | N/A | +2% |
| Total Hate Crime (All Forces) | 137,550 | N/A | N/A |
| CSEW Hate Crime Incidents (Annual) | 176,000 | 4% of all CSEW crime | No significant change |
Data Source: Home Office – Hate Crime, England and Wales: Year Ending March 2025
Hate crime statistics for 2025 reveal a complex picture with increases in race and religious hate crimes offset by decreases in other categories. Police recorded 115,990 hate crimes in England and Wales (excluding the Metropolitan Police Service) for the year ending March 2025, representing a 2% increase compared to the previous year’s 113,166 offences. When including the Metropolitan Police, total hate crimes reached 137,550 offences, though Met data is excluded from year-on-year comparisons due to a change in their crime recording system. Race hate crimes accounted for the majority at 71% with 82,490 offences, showing a 6% increase over the last year but remaining below the peak of 87,905 offences seen in the year ending March 2022.
Religious hate crimes increased by 3% to 7,164 offences, the highest annual total recorded, with dramatic variation between targeted groups. Hate crimes against Muslims surged by 19% from 2,690 to 3,199 offences, with a clear spike in August 2024 coinciding with the Southport murders and subsequent disorder across English towns and cities. Conversely, hate crimes against Jewish people fell by 18% to 1,715 offences (excluding Met data), though caution is needed as the Met recorded 40% of all religious hate crimes targeted at Jewish people. This decrease follows a 113% increase in the previous year after the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The remaining strands showed declines: sexual orientation hate crimes fell 2% to 18,702 offences, disability hate crimes decreased 8% to 10,224 offences, and transgender hate crimes declined 11% to 3,809 offences. The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated 176,000 hate crime incidents annually, similar to pre-pandemic estimates and representing 4% of all CSEW crime, with 44% of incidents coming to police attention compared to 37% for all crime.
Criminal Damage Statistics in the UK 2025
Criminal Damage and Arson 2025
| Criminal Damage Measure | CSEW Incidents | Police Recorded | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Criminal Damage | 608,000 incidents | 440,389 offences | No significant change (CSEW) / -7% (Police) |
| Criminal Damage vs 2015 | 55% lower | N/A | Down from 1.3 million |
| Criminal Damage vs 1995 Peak | 82% lower | N/A | Down from 3.4 million |
| Criminal Damage as Hate Crime | N/A | Part of hate crime stats | Varies by strand |
Data Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS) – Crime in England and Wales: Year Ending March 2025
Criminal damage statistics for 2025 continue the long-term downward trend observed over recent decades. The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated around 608,000 incidents of criminal damage for the year ending March 2025, showing no statistically significant change compared to the previous year’s survey. However, this figure represents a dramatic 55% reduction compared to the 1.3 million incidents recorded in the year ending March 2015, and an even more substantial 82% decrease from the peak of 3.4 million incidents recorded in the year ending December 1995. This sustained decline reflects broader improvements in community cohesion, property security measures, and changes in offending behavior patterns, particularly among young people who historically committed a significant proportion of criminal damage offences.
Police recorded 440,389 criminal damage offences in the year ending March 2025, representing a 7% fall compared to the previous year. Criminal damage forms part of hate crime statistics when offences are motivated by hostility toward race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or transgender identity. Racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage constituted one of the five statutorily defined hate crime categories, and where victim ethnicity was known in such cases for 2025, 37% of victims identified as White, 15% as Black/African/Caribbean/Black British, and 36% as Asian/Asian British. The lower reporting and recording of criminal damage compared to other crime types means police data should be interpreted cautiously, as many minor incidents go unreported, particularly when damage is minimal or victims believe police cannot assist.
Anti-Social Behaviour in the UK 2025
Anti-Social Behaviour Context 2025
| ASB Indicator | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ASB Data Collection | Separate from crime statistics | Not included in main ONS crime bulletin |
| Public Order Offences (Police) | Major component of hate crime | 52% of hate crimes were public order offences |
| Government Response | Safer Streets Mission launched | Targeting 500+ town centers through September 2025 |
| Police Patrols | Increased presence | Part of summer blitz on town center crime |
Data Source: ONS Crime Survey – Year Ending March 2025 | Home Office Announcements
Anti-social behavior (ASB) represents a significant quality of life concern for UK communities in 2025, though it sits outside the traditional crime statistics framework and is measured separately from notifiable offences. While the main Crime in England and Wales bulletin for the year ending March 2025 does not extensively cover ASB, public order offences—which often overlap with ASB concerns—feature prominently in hate crime statistics. Public order offences accounted for 52% of all hate crimes recorded in 2025, representing 71,555 offences out of the total 137,550 hate crimes (including Metropolitan Police data). This contrasts sharply with the overall police recorded crime picture where public order offences account for only 9% of all notifiable offences, highlighting how hate crimes disproportionately manifest as public disorder incidents.
The government has prioritized addressing ASB and town center crime through Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s “Safer Streets Summer Initiative,” which targeted over 500 town centers across England and Wales through September 2025. This initiative involves increased police patrols, stronger prevention measures by police and councils, and enhanced enforcement actions. Additional data on victimization and perceptions of anti-social behavior are published in the Crime in England and Wales: annual supplementary tables, which provide insights into how communities experience disorder and nuisance behavior. The emphasis on visible policing and community safety reflects public concerns about street-level disorder, vandalism, and intimidating behavior that, while not always meeting the threshold for criminal prosecution, significantly impacts residents’ feelings of safety and wellbeing in their neighborhoods.
Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.