New figures show London has recorded its lowest number of homicides in more than a decade, with 97 people killed in the capital last year, down from 109 the year before.

The Mayor of London has announced progress has been particularly strong in tackling serious violence involving young people. Teenage homicide has fallen to its joint lowest level in almost 30 years. In 2025, there were eight teenage victims, a 73% reduction since 2021.

Police point to tougher enforcement and new technology as key factors behind the decline. But churches and community groups say lasting change comes through prevention, mentoring and hope.

In south London, a Christian initiative is using boxing to steer young people away from violence. It’s led by a man who knows first-hand the cost of life on the streets and the power of redemption.

He told Premier Christian News: “Boxing helped me get on top of my aggression and find Christ. You don’t need weapons. You deal with it in the ring, you shake hands at the end, and it’s done. It humbles you very quickly and teaches discipline, control, and respect.” 

He added: "God has done good things in my life, and I want to show the young people that He can do the same for them".

The organisation has welcomed more than 150 young people over the years. One participant, 21-year-old Nathan Varlet, grew up aware of knife crime in south London.

“From a very early age, you’d hear it about a lot… local teenagers got stabbed,” he said.

Varlet described boxing as a sport that taught him emotional control. “The moment you act out of emotion, that’s when you lose all sense of technique," he said. "In real life, a lot of people act on how they feel in that moment and later regret it.”

Varlet added: "If they could manage that emotion at the time, it could have saved them their whole life.”

He also revealed he had struggled with low self-esteem for years, but attending the Christian Boxing Alliance had helped him grow in confidence. He said that the club provides a supportive environment where “there’s always someone to talk to”. 

The programme has drawn support from figures such as Gary Logan, a former professional boxer, TV pundit and Christian. 

He told Premier: “There’s no coincidence that the levels of violence have dropped because they now have that outlet… They’re learning discipline, gaining self-esteem, and that confidence radiates towards others in their group.”

Church-led initiatives like Operation Forgiveness have also been playing a role. Efrem Buckle, deputy director of thought leadership and training at London City Mission, who runs the programme said: “Often, 95% of young people don’t have connection with church. We meet them where they are, on their terms, with a message that’s accessible…

"The more salty an influence we have in the city, the more we can expect to see change… God is able to work through us and through our prayers in ways that would see those numbers come down further still.”

The Christian Boxing Alliance was nominated last year for the Cinnamon Incubator project, recognising church-led initiatives tackling community issues.

Looking ahead, McLeish said: “My hope is to grow the Alliance across the country… to give young people in every city the same opportunity I had to channel aggression, learn discipline, and encounter Christ.”