UK's reputation for rising crime 'at odds with reality'
The perception of crime in the UK is wrong on almost every level, a study suggests. Research from King’s College London shows that people believe crime is rising when, in fact, it has been falling. On nearly every measure – including the ethnicity of offenders, the number of crime victims and of police officers – public perceptions are wrong. The UK , and in particular London, has acquired a…
A recent study challenges the common perception that crime in the UK is on the rise. Research from King’s College London reveals that the majority of people believe crime is increasing, despite the data showing the opposite. Across various measures, such as ethnicity of offenders, number of victims, and police presence, public perceptions are inaccurate.
The study highlights that the UK, particularly London, has earned a reputation for crime, partly influenced by Donald Trump's comments. Former US President Trump referred to the city's crime rate as "through the roof" during his feud with Mayor Sadiq Khan. Despite an increase in phone thefts, London's homicide rate is lower than that of most US states.
Thirty-seven percent of people wrongly believe murder rates have risen between 2010 and 2025, but in reality, they have decreased by 20%. Approximately 83% of individuals think mobile phone theft has increased over the same period, but it has decreased by around 70%. Similarly, 56% believe domestic burglary has risen and 62% think vehicle theft has risen, while both have fallen by around 50%.
Out of five crime types analyzed, only shoplifting has actually risen since 2010 by about 70%, and the public correctly identifies this. However, the study shows that most convicted homicide offenders are white (64%), contradicting the public's assumption that most are from ethnic minorities. Professor Bobby Duffy, director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London, attributes this discrepancy to our psychology and media's inclination to play to our concerns.
The negative bias we have toward threats and the historical optimism we have leads people to overestimate crime rates. In response to these misperceptions, Mayor Sadiq Khan emphasized that London's homicide rate is lower than any US state, with murder rates at record lows. He also highlighted that efforts by the Metropolitan Police, including addressing phone theft, have contributed to the decline in crime across the capital.
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