London may be witnessing a rise in reported crime, but new police statistics suggest the capital remains statistically safer than Manchester – a claim reinforced by City Hall and verified by official figures.
In the year to December 2024, there were 957,481 crimes reported across London, an increase of 2.6 per cent (or 24,194 offences) compared to the previous year. By contrast, Greater Manchester saw a decline in crime, with total reported offences falling by eight per cent – a reduction of 31,257 – to 323,954 incidents.
Despite the raw numbers, London’s significantly larger population (8.9 million compared to Manchester’s 2.9 million) means its crime rate per capita remains lower. According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), London saw 107 crimes per 1,000 people, while Manchester recorded a higher rate of 109.9.
Mayor Sadiq Khan, who also serves as London’s Police and Crime Commissioner, has defended the capital’s relative safety, pointing out that “Londoners are less likely to be victims of violence resulting in injury than those living in other major English cities.”
However, Manchester continues to outpace London in several serious categories. The data shows that Greater Manchester experiences higher rates of violence against the person, stalking, sexual offences, and public order incidents. Meanwhile, London recorded more shoplifting, burglary, and theft from the person offences.
The disparity was further emphasised by the sharp increase in shoplifting within London – up 58 per cent year on year – and a 41 per cent rise in theft from the person offences. In Manchester, these same crimes saw notable declines, with theft from the person falling by 28 per cent.
Despite these concerning figures for the capital, other crime types have decreased. Offences involving the possession of weapons dropped by 20 per cent in London, violence with injury fell 15 per cent, and stalking and harassment were down 10 per cent.
Cleveland – covering Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, and Redcar – remained the most crime-afflicted area in England, with 124.6 crimes per 1,000 residents. West Yorkshire, including Leeds and Bradford, followed with 115 crimes per 1,000.
The Met Police, which serves London, has warned of significant challenges ahead, including planned budget cuts expected to result in the loss of around 1,700 officers and civilian staff. However, City Hall maintains that London remains one of the safest major cities in the UK.
In Greater Manchester, local authorities have praised recent efforts to curb crime. Andy Burnham, the Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, recently extended the contract of the region’s Chief Constable, Stephen Watson, until 2028, hailing a “transformation” under his leadership.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority said its region now enjoys lower homicide rates, fewer admissions for knife-related injuries, and decreased levels of violent crime compared to London. In addition, total crime has dropped by 7.2 per cent, resulting in 25,000 fewer reported offences and 18,735 fewer victims.
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“Because of Chief Constable Watson’s back-to-basics policing and strong commitment to neighbourhood engagement, crime is down and public trust is up,” Mr Burnham said.
Both the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police have recently emerged from special measures following intense scrutiny in recent years.
As the nation grapples with fluctuating crime figures and public concern over safety, the latest data presents a complex but crucial picture. While London faces pressure due to rising thefts and visible street crime, Manchester is battling high rates of violent offences – yet making strides in reducing overall incidents.
Ultimately, the statistics suggest that while both cities face their own unique policing challenges, London – despite its recent uptick in crime – continues to offer a statistically safer environment than its northern counterpart.
