Homicides down, shoplifting up new Home Office figures reveal

FEWER homicides were recorded by police in London last year, new figures show as the total across England and Wales fell to a record low.

- By VERONIQUE HAWKSWORTH & SONJA TUTTY

The charity Victim Support said the overall decline in homicides is a “glimmer of hope” for an area of crime that leaves families with long-lasting trauma and grief.

Figures from the Home Office show there were 101 homicides recorded by the Met Police in the year to June - down slightly from 107 the year before.

Homicide refers to murder, manslaughter and infanticide.

Across England and Wales, the number of homicides decreased by 6 per cent, with 518 offences last year. It was the lowest figure since current police recording practices began in 2002-03, when the figure stood at 1,047 - although this includes 173 victims of serial killer doctor Harold Shipman.

Katie Kempen, chief executive at Victim Support, said: “While crime levels remain lower than a decade ago, millions of people continue to be harmed and the impact on victims is life-changing.