UK Violent Crime Statistics — 1.8 Million Offences a Year
Approximately 1.8 million violent crime offences are recorded in England and Wales each year according to Home Office and ONS data.
There were approximately 1.5 million violent crime incidents in England and Wales in 2023/24, according to the ONS Crime Survey.
Violent crime has fallen by approximately 60% from its peak in the mid-1990s, when the Crime Survey estimated around 3.8 million incidents annually.
Most violent crime involves no injury — around 57% of violent crime is classified as "violence without injury" such as assault and threats.
About These Statistics
Approximately 1.8 million violent crime offences are recorded in England and Wales each year, according to Home Office and ONS Crime Survey data. This equates to approximately 4,900 violent offences recorded per day, or roughly one every 18 seconds.
Violence against the person is the largest single category of recorded crime in England and Wales, accounting for approximately 27% of all offences. The category includes stalking and harassment, assault without injury, assault with injury, and the most serious offences including homicide and attempted murder.
The ONS Crime Survey for England and Wales, which captures crimes not reported to police, estimates that the true level of violent crime is considerably higher than recorded figures. Survey estimates suggest approximately 1.4 million adults experienced violence in the year to March 2024.
Domestic abuse accounts for a significant proportion of all violent crime. The ONS estimates that around one in three violent crimes recorded by police involves a domestic abuse flag. Women are disproportionately affected, accounting for approximately 72% of all domestic homicide victims.
The most serious forms of violent crime — homicide, attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent — account for a small fraction of the total but have significant impact. There are approximately 700 homicides recorded in England and Wales each year, one of the lowest rates in Europe at approximately 1 per 100,000 population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on official UK government data
How much violent crime is there in the UK?
There were approximately 1.5 million violent crime incidents in England and Wales in 2023/24, according to the ONS Crime Survey. This represents a long-term decline — violent crime has fallen by approximately 60% from its mid-1990s peak.
Is violent crime rising in the UK?
Overall violent crime in England and Wales has been broadly stable or declining in recent years, according to the ONS Crime Survey for England and Wales. However, police recorded violent crime has risen — reflecting improved reporting rather than a genuine rise in all categories.
How many violent crimes are there in the UK per year?
Approximately 1.8 million violent crime offences are recorded in England and Wales each year according to Home Office Crime Statistics 2023/24. This equates to approximately 4,900 per day. The ONS Crime Survey estimates the true total including unreported crimes is higher still, with approximately 1.4 million adults experiencing violence annually.
What counts as violent crime in England and Wales?
Violence against the person in England and Wales includes stalking and harassment, common assault, assault without injury, assault with injury, assault with intent to cause serious harm, threats to kill, attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm, and homicide. It is the largest category of recorded crime, accounting for approximately 27% of all offences.
How does UK violent crime compare to other countries?
The UK has one of the lower homicide rates in Europe at approximately 1 per 100,000 population per year, compared to a European average of around 1.5. However, direct international comparisons of broader violent crime are difficult due to different recording practices. England and Wales record violence including less serious assault, which inflates totals compared to countries with higher reporting thresholds.