UnHerd with Freddie Sayers Debate: Is there a migrant crimewave?
Nov 5, 2025
Fraser Nelson, a columnist for The Times and former editor of The Spectator, dives into the debate surrounding crime and immigration in the UK. He challenges the narrative of a migrant crimewave by highlighting falling violent crime statistics, even as immigration has increased. Nelson discusses the disconnect between public perception and reality, addressing how low-level crimes shape fear despite overall crime decline. He also touches on the complexities of cultural integration and advocates for evidence-based discussions on immigration policies.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Violent Crime Has Fallen Over Decades
- Multiple long-term datasets (Crime Survey, NHS hospital assault records) show violent crime has fallen since the 2000s.
- Fraser Nelson uses these to argue perception of a crimewave contrasts with measured decline.
Hospital Data Adds A Harder Metric
- NHS hospital assault data records treated injuries and avoids underreporting in surveys and police stats.
- The Violence Research Unit concludes multiple metrics point to a significant fall in violent crime.
Immigration Rose While Crime Fell
- Immigration numbers roughly trebled since 2000 while surveyed crime declined, producing opposing trends on a chart.
- Nelson argues this undermines the simple narrative of an immigrant-driven violent crimewave.
