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Hospitals treat 13 knifings a day Hospitals treat 13 knifings a day
(2 days later)
English hospitals treat at least 13 stabbings a day, figures suggest. English hospitals treat at least 13 stabbings per day, figures suggest.
The bulk of these happen at the weekend and most victims are male, according to the NHS health and social care Information Centre's database.The bulk of these happen at the weekend and most victims are male, according to the NHS health and social care Information Centre's database.
From 1997 to 2005, admissions following an assault involving a sharp object rose by 30% to 4,891.From 1997 to 2005, admissions following an assault involving a sharp object rose by 30% to 4,891.
Doctors told the Journal of Public Health that more needed to be done to tackle knife crime. The government said it took the issue very seriously.Doctors told the Journal of Public Health that more needed to be done to tackle knife crime. The government said it took the issue very seriously.
A Home Office spokesman said they had introduced a number of tough new measures to help, including raising the maximum sentence for carrying an offensive weapon from two to four years' imprisonment.A Home Office spokesman said they had introduced a number of tough new measures to help, including raising the maximum sentence for carrying an offensive weapon from two to four years' imprisonment.
The figuresThe figures
Crime statistics are notoriously complex and difficult to compare meaningfully.Crime statistics are notoriously complex and difficult to compare meaningfully.
Also, research suggests that 50% of patients who go to hospital for an assault-related injury do not report their injuries to the police.Also, research suggests that 50% of patients who go to hospital for an assault-related injury do not report their injuries to the police.
There are no official Department of Health statistics for just how widescale a problem stabbing injuries are for hospitals.There are no official Department of Health statistics for just how widescale a problem stabbing injuries are for hospitals.
Incidents may not be reported to the police A Home Office spokesmanIncidents may not be reported to the police A Home Office spokesman
British Crime Survey statistics for England and Wales suggest violent crimes, including stabbings, are going down.British Crime Survey statistics for England and Wales suggest violent crimes, including stabbings, are going down.
But the same statistics show knives and other hitting implements are the most popular weapons used by attackers in the UK.But the same statistics show knives and other hitting implements are the most popular weapons used by attackers in the UK.
Roy Maxwell and colleagues at the Southwest Public Health Observatory looked at data on 33,903 patients at hospitals in England.Roy Maxwell and colleagues at the Southwest Public Health Observatory looked at data on 33,903 patients at hospitals in England.
A quarter of the admissions were to London hospitals. Most of the injuries were non-fatal - 154 patients died, 0.5% of the total injured.A quarter of the admissions were to London hospitals. Most of the injuries were non-fatal - 154 patients died, 0.5% of the total injured.
The researchers said: "These figures do not fit comfortably with the suggestion that violent incidents involving a knife are decreasing."The researchers said: "These figures do not fit comfortably with the suggestion that violent incidents involving a knife are decreasing."
HOME OFFICE FIGURES* Violent crime in 1995 4,256,000Violent crime 2005/6 2,420,000Violent crime involving knives in 1995 340,480Violent crime involving knives 2005/6 169,400Robbery involving knives 2004/5 24,290Robbery involving knives 2005/6 42,020 *England and Wales onlyHOME OFFICE FIGURES* Violent crime in 1995 4,256,000Violent crime 2005/6 2,420,000Violent crime involving knives in 1995 340,480Violent crime involving knives 2005/6 169,400Robbery involving knives 2004/5 24,290Robbery involving knives 2005/6 42,020 *England and Wales only
They also warned that their data likely underestimated the true magnitude of this type of assault.They also warned that their data likely underestimated the true magnitude of this type of assault.
A Home Office spokesman acknowledged that there could be under-reporting.A Home Office spokesman acknowledged that there could be under-reporting.
He added: "We are working with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Metropolitan Police Service on pilot work they are doing with accident and emergency departments, to share anonymised information with the police on knife injuries, as it is suspected that a proportion of incidents may not be reported to the police."He added: "We are working with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Metropolitan Police Service on pilot work they are doing with accident and emergency departments, to share anonymised information with the police on knife injuries, as it is suspected that a proportion of incidents may not be reported to the police."