The line graph compares the number of armed robberies, assaults and murders recorded in London between 2003 and 2012.
Overall, armed robbery declined dramatically over the period, whereas the number of assaults increased overall despite some fluctuations. Murder remained by far the least common crime and changed relatively little.
Armed robbery stood at approximately 3,300 cases in 2003 before peaking at around 3,600 in 2004. The figure then fell sharply, reaching a low of about 1,000 in 2008. It subsequently recovered to roughly 1,400 in 2009 and remained relatively stable until 2012.
By contrast, assaults started at around 2,200 cases and fluctuated during the first half of the period. After falling to approximately 1,900 in 2006, the figure generally increased, reaching a peak of about 2,700 in 2012. Murder figures were considerably lower, rising from roughly 500 in 2003 to around 800 in 2005 before falling again. Thereafter, they fluctuated within a relatively narrow range and ended at approximately 500 in 2012.
