If you’re trying to understand British gun crime statistics, you’re not alone — the numbers spark concern, headlines, and policy debates. This article walks you through the facts (not the headlines), explains recent trends, and shows what the data actually means for public safety in the UK.
We’ll cover the latest figures, how police respond, regional differences, who legally holds firearms, and how to read the statistics without being misled by dramatic reporting.
Quick Snapshot (Latest Data)
- Police-recorded offences involving firearms in England and Wales were around 5,100 in the year ending March 2025, a fall of about 21% compared with the previous year. Much of this drop reflects fewer incidents involving imitation firearms (ONS).
- Police carried out 17,249 firearms operations in England and Wales in the year ending March 2025 (Home Office).
- There are around 510,000 firearm and shotgun certificates in circulation, with shotguns being the most common (House of Commons Library).
- Firearm offences remain small in scale compared with knife crimes and other violent offences (ONS Crime Data).
Read also- Telford crime rate
Trends Over Time
- Long-term picture: Gun offences have fluctuated, peaking around 2018–2019 before falling in recent years.
- Police response: Firearms operations rose during the 2010s but vary year to year. The Home Office publishes detailed breakdowns.
- Why the swings? With relatively small numbers, even a change of a few hundred offences can look like a big percentage jump. Recording changes and targeted police crackdowns also affect the statistics (Commons Library Briefing).
Read also- Crime in Aberdeen Scotland
What Counts as a “Firearms Offence”?
“Firearms offences” include:
- Illegal possession of firearms.
- Use of imitation guns or BB/air weapons.
- Discharge of firearms with intent.
- Sale, supply, or trafficking offences.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) regularly breaks these down, showing that a significant share involve replicas or air weapons rather than live firearms.
Regional Picture
Gun crime is not spread evenly:
- Urban centres such as London, Birmingham, and Manchester record higher firearm offences.
- Rural areas report very low levels.
- Some headlines exaggerate by combining minor licensing breaches with serious firearm incidents — independent fact-checkers, including Reuters, have flagged this issue.
For local detail, the ONS datasets and police force breakdowns are the best resources.
Who Legally Owns Guns in Britain?
The UK has some of the strictest firearms laws in the world. Certificates are only granted for specific purposes like sport shooting, farming, or collection.
- As of March 2024, there were around 147,000 firearm certificates and 496,000 shotgun certificates in England and Wales.
- The majority of gun crime does not involve licensed firearms — illegal imports and conversions are the main concern.
What Drives Gun Crime?
Research and government reports highlight key drivers:
- Organised crime networks smuggling illegal firearms into the UK.
- Gang disputes in metropolitan areas.
- Imitation weapons used for intimidation.
- Social and economic factors in areas with persistent deprivation.
See more analysis in the Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) reports.
Police Response
- Armed operations: Specialist firearms officers are deployed in high-risk incidents.
- Licensing checks: Regular reviews of certificate holders.
- Stop and search: Used to intercept weapons but carefully monitored for fairness.
For detailed figures, visit the Home Office firearms statistics.
How to Read the Numbers Sensibly
- Percentages can mislead: With small totals, percentage changes look dramatic.
- Different offence types: Licensing breaches ≠ shootings.
- Compare with other crimes: Knife crime offences are far more frequent (ONS Crime Data).
What the Numbers Mean for Safety
Gun crime in Britain is rare compared with many countries. While each case is serious, the statistics show:
- Firearm offences remain low compared with knife crime and assaults.
- Police responses are frequent but controlled, with 17,000+ armed operations annually.
- Illegal weapons, not licensed ones, are the key threat.
FAQs
- Are gun crimes rising in the UK?
No — the latest ONS data show firearm offences have recently fallen, though patterns vary by region. - Do legal gun owners commit most gun crime?
No. Most licensed holders are law-abiding. Illegal and smuggled firearms are the main source of gun crime. - Where can I find official statistics?
The Office for National Statistics, Home Office, and House of Commons Library provide detailed, reliable reports.
