Violence related injury treatment reduces by 10 per cent in UK

A survey conducted by Cardiff University has shown that injuries from violence in England and Wales fell ‘substantially’ in 2016.

The survey, which examined people treated in 152 A&E units, found 188,803 people were admitted for injuries from a fight or assault - a 10 per cent reduction than in 2015.

However, the survey outlined that the data was at odds with police statistics which have recently recorded increases in violent crime.

The study's lead author, Professor Jonathan Shepherd of the Violence Research Group at Cardiff University, highlighted that there had been a substantial decrease in violence-related injuries for both men and women in 2016 compared with 2015.

Research indicated that since 2010, there has been a 40 per cent decline in people needing treatment in emergency departments after violence. The researchers cited that decreases in drug uses and binge drinking could be possible reasons for falls in violent incidents.

However, the group's latest report maintained that casualties peaked at weekends - suggesting that alcohol-related violence remained a significant problem. In particular, it indicated that males and people aged 18 to 30 continued to be at most risk from violence.

Meanwhile, violence-related injuries sustained by children aged up to 10 showed a year-on-year rise of 10 per cent in 2016. The research does not examine the reasons for the decline in violence but better detection and reporting of serious violence by emergency departments and more targeted policing were also cited in the report as possible factors.

In an interview with the BBC, Prof Shepherd said that increased CCTV which allowed police to target incidents quicker and efforts to reduce domestic violence should also be taken into account.

Shepherd also added the substantial year-on-year decline meant ‘costs imposed on health services and the criminal justice system by violence have been substantially reduced’.