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Knife crime offences

Total knife and sharp instrument offences recorded by police in England and Wales.

46.1k offences
-9.4% vs 2024

As of 2025

Historical trend

Trend summary

Police recorded 46,097 selected knife crime offences in the year ending December 2025 (excluding Greater Manchester), down 9% from 50,867 in 2024.

Trend

  • Police-recorded knife crime rose from 33,800 in 2010–11 to a peak of 50,867 in 2024, before falling to 46,097 in 2025.
  • The 2025 figure is the first annual decline in this series since data collection began in 2010–11.
  • The series excludes Greater Manchester throughout; inclusion would raise each figure by an estimated 3–4%.

Context

  • Data covers selected violent offences involving a knife or sharp instrument, recorded by police in England and Wales excluding Greater Manchester.
  • Source: ONS Crime in England and Wales Appendix Tables, year ending December 2025 (Worksheet B6).

Commentary contains no editorial judgement — describes direction, magnitude, and official projections only.

About this indicator

Source
Home Office
Update frequency
Annual
Last updated
19 June 2026
Licence
OGL v3
Direction
↓ Falling

Statistics

Latest
46.1k offences
Period high
50.9k offences
Period low
46.1k offences
Period average
48.5k offences