London’s murder rate drops to lowest in more than a decade

Police officials say smarter and more focused work by officers has contributed to a drop in London’s crime rate. Photograph: Tolga Akmen/EPA

London’s murder rate has dropped to its lowest in more than a decade with police in the capital and the mayor saying it is now one of the safest cities in the western world.

The figures come as those on the radical right criticise the city for having a crime problem, hoping to gain politically from such claims being believed.