Violent crimes against parents by children up 60% since 2015, shows London data

Cuts to services such as adolescent mental health and children’s services led to a drop in early support, which might have helped keep things ‘safer for some families’, says expert. Picture posed by model. Photograph: Motortion/Getty Images

The number of violent offences involving an adolescent attacking their parents or step-parents has increased by more than 60% in the past decade, according to figures recorded by the UK’s biggest police force.

Data released by Scotland Yard reveals that there were 1,886 such offences recorded in 2015 but this increased to 3,091 in the first 10 months of 2025 alone.