Study: What Causes Homicides In London?

London's Violence Reduction Unit had its Behavioural Insights Team do a case study on 50 homicides to ascertain homicide trends. A more extensive analysis of 300 cases will be conducted following the initial study's success.

Nov 18, 2022 - 08:00

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In London, some 130 people lose their lives to homicide annually — dealing out grief to loved ones and an annual cost of over £120 million for the city.

London’s Violence Reduction Unit tasked a Behavioural Insights Team with analyzing homicide trends.

In a recent study, the team analyzed 50 homicide cases, looking at six primary factors: mental health, drugs, alcohol, gangs, social media and escalation.

Researchers found that 29 of the 50 analyzed cases involved mental health in some capacity, where the suspect and victims tended to be older. Only a single victim was under 25 in the cases analyzed. In that case, the victim was a 5-year-old child.

Drugs were linked to 26 of the 50 cases, and alcohol was linked to 16. In addition, the study found a more crucial link between addiction and homicides than usage before the offense.

For example, 22 cases involved a history of drug addiction for either the victim or the suspect, while only 10 were for drugs consumed in the lead-up to the crime.

However, the trend did not stand regarding alcohol, where the number of prior consumption and addiction cases was virtually the same.

Elsewhere, gang involvement and social media were prevalent in 14 cases each.

The study found quick outbursts were common, but instances that took five minutes to escalate provided opportunities for intervention.

While the study was released this month, a more extensive analysis of 300 cases will be conducted for more conclusive guidance. Still, the study offered key solutions and recommendations toward a better understanding of homicides in England’s Capital.

The report’s primary recommendation is that agencies work to build a better data system, which should be representative, high volume, comprehensive, informative, policing-relevant and accessible.

Understanding homicide: a framework analysis is the most recent report from London’s Violence Reduction Unit and can be read here.