‘No significant rise in serious violence last year’ – study
THERE has not been a significant increase in serious violence across England and Wales, despite a surge in London, according to a new study.
The national picture of serious violence for 2017 shows little change from the previous year, with just a 1% rise.
The findings are from a Cardiff University study, which examined data by age and sex from a scientific sample of 94 emergency departments, minor injury units and walkin centres in England and Wales.
All are certified members of the National Violence Surveillance Network, which has published an annual report for the past 17 years.
Co-author Professor Jonathan Shepherd, from the university’s crime and security research institute, said: “Our study reveals there was little change in violence-related injuries from 2016, with just a 1% increase for 2017.
“However, between 2010 and 2016, we have identified a decline of around 40% in people needing treatment in emergency departments after violence.
“We hope this year’s stagnant figures aren’t a new trend and that we will continue to see a decline in serious violence next year.”
Overall, an estimated 190,747 people attended emergency departments in England and Wales for treatment following violence in 2017 – 1,942 more than in 2016.
Violence-related emergency department attendances of children aged up to 10 increased by 11%, though low numbers make this finding uncertain.
As in previous years, those most at risk of violence-related injury were males and those aged 18 to 30.
Males were more than twice as likely as females to be treated in emergency departments following injury in violence.
Violence-related emergency department attendance was most frequent on Saturdays and Sundays and during the summer months, with a peak in July. January and February saw the lowest numbers.
Prof Shepherd added: “Our findings also suggest that alcohol-related violence remains a significant problem, with violence-related emergency department attendance consistently at its weekends.
“As alcohol is becoming increasingly affordable, this risk of alcoholrelated violence is likely to increase.”
While the study does not examine the reasons behind the violence numbers, it cites a number of possible explanations for no substantial increase, including better detection and reporting of serious violence, better targeted policing, improved sharing of data by emergency departments, and local inter-agency collaboration to tackle violence on the streets and in licensed premises. highest levels on