London Knife Crime Has Risen 86 Percent in a Decade: Think Tank

The report said nearly 17,000 knife crime offenses were recorded in London in 2024.

An image of two teenagers armed with large knives attacking Kelyan Bokassa, 14, on a double decker bus in Woolwich, London, on Jan. 7, 2025. TfL/Metropolitan Police

Knife crime in London rose by 86 percent between 2014 and 2024 and is highly concentrated in areas such as the West End, which features tourist destinations including Oxford Circus and Regent Street, according to a report by the Policy Exchange think tank.

Most knife crime in London involves robbery, with cellphones the most common target, according to the report. In 2024, 61.6 percent of knife crime offenses in the British capital were robberies.