Chatham Daily News
·Aug 2026
Region's homicide rate falls to six-year low
Seven homicides were recorded in the London metropolitan region in 2025, reducing the homicide rate to 1.1 per 100,000 residents, its lowest level since 2019 and down from 10 homicides and a rate of 1.59 in 2024. Five deaths occurred in London, with one each in St. Thomas and Strathroy. Police officials cautioned that the homicide rate is only one measure of public safety and pointed to broader violent-crime trends and community, police and justice-system efforts. Despite the decline in homicides, the region’s Crime Severity Index rose to 65.95 from 61.26, driven in part by gunfire linked to gangs and organized crime, child sexual abuse material investigations and increased opioid-possession charges. Six of the seven homicide cases remained before the courts.