New research into London homicides between 2019 and 2023 found that nearly 93% of unsolved murder cases were connected with a non-white victim, prompting campaigners to warn of a perception of unequal protection under the law.
Key facts
- Analysis covered unsolved homicides in London between 2019 and 2023.
- Non-white British people made up 61% of homicide victims in the capital.
- 92.9% of unsolved murder cases were connected with a non-white victim.
- Campaigners warn the findings risk deepening a perception of 'unequal protection under the law'.
- The research was reported exclusively by the Guardian.
Killers who take the lives of black people have a greater chance of getting away with their crimes than those who target white people, according to new research reported exclusively by the Guardian.
The analysis examined unsolved homicides in London between 2019 and 2023. It found that non-white British people made up 61% of all homicide victims in the capital during that period.
When researchers focused specifically on unsolved murders, the disparity was starker. According to the Guardian, 92.9% of unsolved cases in London were connected with a victim who was non-white, or a person of colour.
Campaigners said the figures risk deepening a perception of ‘unequal protection under the law’, suggesting that the outcomes of murder investigations may not be equal across ethnic groups.
The research draws attention to the difference between the overall share of non-white homicide victims, at 61%, and their much higher representation among cases that go unsolved, at nearly 93%.
The Guardian published the analysis on 23 August 2026 as an exclusive report.
Why it matters
The findings raise serious questions about whether all victims of violent crime in London receive equal treatment from the justice system. If cases involving non-white victims are disproportionately left unsolved, it could undermine public trust in policing among minority communities and fuel concerns about unequal protection under the law.
Frequently asked questions
What period does the research cover?
The analysis examined unsolved homicides in London between 2019 and 2023.
What proportion of unsolved murders involved non-white victims?
According to the Guardian, 92.9% of unsolved murder cases in London were connected with a victim who was non-white.
What share of all homicide victims were non-white?
The research found that non-white British people made up 61% of homicide victims in the capital during the period studied.