Boston in Lincolnshire is the 'most murderous' place in England and Wales, Home Office figures reveal

The northern port town has a murder and attempted murder rate of 15 per 100,000 people

Boston has a high murder rate due to its comparatively low population (Getty Images)

Boston in Lincolnshire is the most murderous place in England and Wales, according to new Home Office figures.

The data showed there were two homicides and eight attempted murders in the port town for the period up to September 2015 - meaning there is a rate of 15 murderous crimes for every 100,000 people.

This is the highest per person rate in England and Wales for the period up to September 2015.

Next on the list were the City of London and Gloucester with a rate of 12.4 per 100,000 and 8 per 100,000 respectively.

The murder rates are skewed by the small population sizes - for instance the City of London had only one murder but has a population of just under 7,400 in the 2011 census.

By contrast Manchester had the highest total of murders and attempted murders - 33 - but only reached sixth on the list because the city had a population of just over 514,000 in 2013.

It comes amid news that the number of violent crimes has risen sharply due to a surge in the rate of murder, rape, gun and knife offences in London and the south east.

The number of people murdered in England and Wales increased by 14 per cent in the year to September and instances of attempted murder went up by 19 per cent.

The news has prompted fears that London gangs are becoming more ruthless when it comes to protecting their territory.

Almost one-quarter of the rise in knife crime offences was recorded in London.

Andy Simon, a former detective who leads an organisation which mediates between gangs in London, told The Independent: “The youngsters are more likely to carry knives and to resort more quickly to violence.”