UK's reputation for rising crime 'at odds with reality'

A new study from King’s College London reveals that the public’s perception of crime in the UK is largely inaccurate. Despite a general belief that crime rates are rising, the research indicates that crime has actually been declining across various measures. These include the ethnicity of offenders, the number of victims, and the number of police officers. The study challenges the UK’s reputation for high crime levels, particularly in London, which has been influenced by comments made by former US President Donald Trump.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, addressed the misperception on X, stating that the city’s homicide rate is lower than that of most US states, and murder rates are at record lows. This contradicts the 37% of people who believe murder has increased between 2010 and 2025, when, in fact, it has decreased by 20%. Similarly, 83% of people think mobile phone theft has risen over the same period, yet it has actually fallen by around 70% nationwide.

Public perceptions of other crimes like domestic burglary and vehicle theft also reflect a similar pattern of overestimation.

Only shoplifting has seen an actual rise since 2010, with 84% of respondents correctly identifying this trend. However, the study highlights a deeper issue rooted in human psychology. Professor Bobby Duffy, director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London, attributes the discrepancy to a negativity bias and a tendency to view the past through a rose-tinted lens.

This psychological inclination to perceive threats and assume past safety leads to an inflated sense of crime, which is driven more by what concerns people rather than an accurate reflection of reality. The study suggests that while the public’s fears may be misaligned with the facts, efforts by law enforcement, like those of the Met Police in London, are successfully reducing crime rates.