London Homestays | January 2026
Your mother found a TikTok. It shows someone’s phone being snatched on Oxford Street. Now she’s reconsidering your entire study abroad plan.
Meanwhile, your father’s been reading social media posts claiming London is “crime-ridden” and “dangerous.” He’s sent you three articles this week asking if you’re absolutely certain about this.
Here’s what neither of them have seen: London just recorded its lowest homicide rate on record.
Metropolitan Police figures for 2025 show 97 homicides across 9.1 million people – around 1.1 per 100,000 residents. That makes London one of the safest major cities in the Western world. Not marketing spin. Official police statistics.
London vs The World: The Data Your Parents Need to See
Here’s how London compares to major cities international students consider:
| City | Homicides per 100,000 | How it compares to London |
|---|---|---|
| London | 1.1 | — |
| Paris | 1.6 | 45% higher than London |
| Milan | 1.6 | 45% higher than London |
| New York | 2.8 | 2.5× higher than London |
| Berlin | 3.2 | Nearly 3× higher than London |
| Los Angeles | 5.6 | 5× higher than London |
| Chicago | 11.7 | More than 10× higher than London |
| Philadelphia | 12.3 | 11× higher than London |
Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley wasn’t exaggerating when he said: “London is safer than every US state, or thereabouts, let alone the big cities.”
This isn’t just lower than last year. It’s the lowest rate since comparable records began in 1997.
So Why Does Everyone Think London is Dangerous?
Because dramatic content travels faster than boring reality.
Millions of tourists visit London annually. Everyone films everything. A phone snatch on Oxford Street gets 2 million views. A student safely commuting to their homestay in Clapham gets zero.
Pickpocketing videos create misleading impressions – they’re filmed in Zone 1 tourist hotspots, not the residential areas where students actually live. The same applies to broader crime narratives.
Recent polling shows the disconnect: people across the UK think London is unsafe – except Londoners themselves, who overwhelmingly disagree. The people actually living here know something the viral videos don’t show.
What This Actually Means For You
When you’re deciding where to study English in London, you need facts, not fear. The police focused resources on serious criminals and early intervention with young people – youth homicides dropped from 69 in 2017 to just 18 in 2025. The approach worked.
London offers world-class language schools, incredible cultural experiences, and unmatched transport connections. Now there’s official confirmation it’s also one of the safest major cities you could choose.
And if you’re staying with a vetted host family, you’re not just in a safe city – you’re in a home where someone expects you back, knows your routine, and helps you navigate safely.
We’ve addressed this in our guide to understanding which London areas are actually safe – the key is separating outdated information from current reality. The 2025 data provides that current reality in the clearest possible terms.
Yes, You Still Need Common Sense
London has 9.1 million people. Crime exists. Keep bags secure in crowded areas, stay aware on public transport, use the same city precautions you’d use anywhere. But the idea that London is uniquely dangerous? The statistics say otherwise.
What to Tell Worried Parents
Show them the table above. Point out that London’s homicide rate is 1.1 while New York’s is 2.8 and Chicago’s is 11.7.
Ask them: if they’d be comfortable with you studying in New York or Los Angeles, why would London – which is demonstrably safer – be a problem?
The Met Police commissioner calls London “an extraordinarily safe global city.” The statistics back him up completely. Your decision should be based on facts: London is one of the safest major cities in the Western world for international students.
Questions about studying in London? Email us for current information about language schools and verified homestay accommodation.
