Antisocial behavior was witnessed or experienced by nearly 41% of people in England and Wales in the year leading up to March, a notable increase from approximately one-third in the preceding 12 months. Concurrently, household thefts surged by 21%, reaching around 791,000 incidents, largely driven by an increase in items stolen from outside residences, such as parcels left by online couriers.
In contrast to these increases, police-recorded crime figures indicate a more positive trend in serious violent offenses. Homicides fell by 7% to 499 incidents, and offenses involving knives and guns decreased by 8%. Specifically, 176 knife homicides were recorded in 2025/26, a 14% drop from the previous year and the lowest figure in 35 years. This reduction in knife-related killings contributed to the overall homicide total reaching its lowest point this century, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
Police-recorded shoplifting offenses also saw a 4% decrease year-on-year, though they remain above 2023/24 levels. The ONS notes that reporting rates for shoplifting are known to be low and that police are actively encouraging the reporting of all incidents, including the submission of CCTV evidence, to improve intelligence and offender identification. A change in recording practices, where offenses involving theft and violence within a retail setting are now classified as robbery of business property rather than shoplifting, may also contribute to the reported drop in shoplifting and a near doubling of business robbery incidents.
Overall police-recorded crime in England and Wales, excluding fraud and computer misuse, decreased by 1% to 5.24 million offenses in 2025/26. This figure is slightly below the pre-pandemic level of 2019/20 but remains higher than a decade prior. The ONS emphasizes that police-recorded crime is not considered a reliable indicator of overall crime trends due to improvements in recording standards over the years.
In response to the rise in antisocial behavior, the government is rolling out 'Respect Orders,' a modern iteration of previous anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos). These new civil orders, applicable to adults, can lead to arrest and jail sentences upon breach, carrying a maximum two-year term. This initiative aims to address the growing concerns about antisocial conduct in communities.
Separate data from the ONS Crime Survey for England and Wales, which is unaffected by police reporting or recording changes, suggests a more stable overall picture. For individuals aged 16 and over, there were an estimated 9.62 million crime incidents in 2025/26, showing no statistically significant change from the previous year and remaining 14% lower than in 2016/17. This survey covers personal and household crimes but excludes sexual offenses, stalking, harassment, and domestic abuse.
While the crime survey indicates stability, an increase in theft from outside homes and more victims reporting fraud were noted. The rise in antisocial behavior experiences was also highlighted. On the positive side, homicide rates are at a multi-decade low, with knife homicides driving the recent fall. Gun crime levels are comparable to a decade ago, and knife crime is below pre-pandemic levels. A parcel thief caught on Doorbell camera footage shared in a TV documentary