Homicides from 1900 to 2017

Release date:
16 March 2018

You asked

  1. A list of the number of intentional homicides committed using a gun each year from 1900 to 2017. Please make sure suicides and accidents are not included. I understand that certain years, particularly the earlier ones, may not have any information available.

  2. A list of the number of intentional homicides committed using knives/sharp objects/blunt object and fists each year from 1900 to 2017. Please make sure suicides and accidents are not included as well as each type of object used being in a separate category. I understand that certain years, particularly the earlier ones, may not have any information available.

We said

Thank you for your request relating to the number of homicides committed using a gun and the number committed using knives/sharp objects/blunt objects and fists.

We only hold aggregate data on homicides supplied to us by the Home Office from their record-level Homicide Index. Please note that homicides are recorded on the Homicide Index data based on the year the offence was recorded as a crime, not necessarily when the offence took place or when the case was heard in court.

Appendix Table 5a published alongside our Homicide in England and Wales: year ending March 2017 provides data from the Homicide Index on the number of offences currently recorded as homicide by apparent method of killing for the year ending March 2007 to year ending March 2017.

You can access this table here; https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/appendixtableshomicideinenglandandwales

The table includes data on the number of homicides where the apparent method of killing was a shooting; please note these figures include shooting by crossbows. The table also includes data on the number of homicides where the apparent method of killing was a sharp instrument, a blunt instrument and hitting, kicking etc. We do not have data specifically for the number of homicides committed using fists.

Data for the year ending March 2003 to the year ending March 2013 are available in Table 2.04 here; http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20160106234623/http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/crime-stats/crime-statistics/focus-on-violent-crime-and-sexual-offences--2012-13/rft-table-2.xls

Data for the year ending December 1991 to the year ending March 2002 are available in Table 1.03 here;http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20091207173028/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs2/hosb103.pdf

We do not hold data on the method of killing in homicides for years prior to the year ending December 1991. Such information may be held by the Home Office, who might be able to help you further with your request. You can contact them via: CrimeandPoliceStats@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

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