Number of homicides in England and Wales 2002-2023

How many homicides are there in England and Wales?

There were 602 homicides recorded in England and Wales in 2022/23, 95 fewer than in the previous reporting year, when there were 697 homicides. Between 2002/03 and 2013/14 the number of homicides in England and Wales fell significantly, from 1,047, to 533. The recent rise in the number of homicides has occurred alongside an increase in the overall number of crimes, with police officials linking this to long-term cuts to their manpower and resources.

Knives involved in over 40 percent of homicides

During the 2021/22 reporting year, homicides involving a sharp instrument were involved in 282 incidents an increase from the previous reporting year, when there were 236. As a proportion of all homicides sharp instruments were the main method of killing, and were used in 41 percent of all homicides in England and Wales in 2021/22. Homicides caused by shooting are quite rare in England and Wales and only accounted for four percent of all homicides in the same reporting year.

Homicide rate highest in North East England

The region of the UK with the highest homicide rate in the UK for 2022/23 was North East England, just ahead of London, and Northern Ireland. In terms of overall figures, London had the highest number of homicides in this reporting year, at 124 homicides, followed by North West England at 95.