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Violent crime in England and Wales falls again, A&E data shows | Violent crime in England and Wales falls again, A&E data shows |
(35 minutes later) | |
Violent crime is continuing a long-term fall in England and Wales, according to annual figures from NHS hospitals. | Violent crime is continuing a long-term fall in England and Wales, according to annual figures from NHS hospitals. |
There was a 12% fall in injuries from violent incidents in 2013, according to data from almost a third of emergency departments examined by Cardiff University. | There was a 12% fall in injuries from violent incidents in 2013, according to data from almost a third of emergency departments examined by Cardiff University. |
It found 235,000 people were treated following a violent attack in 2013 - 32,800 fewer than in the previous year. | It found 235,000 people were treated following a violent attack in 2013 - 32,800 fewer than in the previous year. |
The authors said the rising cost of alcohol might have played a role. | The authors said the rising cost of alcohol might have played a role. |
They also said the figures mirrored other research, adding to evidence that the long-term trend in violent crime was down. | |
The 12% fall means it is the fifth consecutive year that NHS units have recorded a decrease in violent injuries. | The 12% fall means it is the fifth consecutive year that NHS units have recorded a decrease in violent injuries. |
'Welcome' fall | 'Welcome' fall |
Professor Jonathan Shepherd, the report's lead author, said: "The data shows another significant year-on-year fall. Apart from a 7% increase in 2008, levels of serious violence have fallen every year since 2001. | Professor Jonathan Shepherd, the report's lead author, said: "The data shows another significant year-on-year fall. Apart from a 7% increase in 2008, levels of serious violence have fallen every year since 2001. |
"Continuing, substantial decreases in serious violence are welcome for citizens, communities and in combating the fear of crime. | "Continuing, substantial decreases in serious violence are welcome for citizens, communities and in combating the fear of crime. |
"They also decrease the costs of violence to health services and the criminal justice system and reduce pressures on hard-pressed Accident and Emergencies late at night at the weekend." | "They also decrease the costs of violence to health services and the criminal justice system and reduce pressures on hard-pressed Accident and Emergencies late at night at the weekend." |
Men between 18 and 30 years old remained the most at risk of being a victim - but the report also found that the greatest annual decreases occurred among youth and young adult victims. | Men between 18 and 30 years old remained the most at risk of being a victim - but the report also found that the greatest annual decreases occurred among youth and young adult victims. |
Prof Shepherd said: "Violence is falling in many Western countries and we don't know all the reasons why. | Prof Shepherd said: "Violence is falling in many Western countries and we don't know all the reasons why. |
"Binge drinking has become less frequent, and the proportion of youth who don't drink alcohol at all has risen sharply. | "Binge drinking has become less frequent, and the proportion of youth who don't drink alcohol at all has risen sharply. |
"Also, after decades in which alcohol has become more affordable, since 2008 it has become less affordable. | "Also, after decades in which alcohol has become more affordable, since 2008 it has become less affordable. |
"For people most prone to involvement in violence, those aged 18-30, falls in disposable income are probably an important factor." | "For people most prone to involvement in violence, those aged 18-30, falls in disposable income are probably an important factor." |
'Crazy periods' | |
The authors said that anti-violence strategies involving local public agencies working closely together could also be yielding results. | The authors said that anti-violence strategies involving local public agencies working closely together could also be yielding results. |
The Cardiff University study looked at treatment given to victims at 117 emergency departments, minor injury units and NHS walk-in centres. | The Cardiff University study looked at treatment given to victims at 117 emergency departments, minor injury units and NHS walk-in centres. |
Responding to the report, UK Faculty of Public Health president Prof John Ashton called for an increase in the price of alcohol. | |
"We do periodically have these crazy periods where there's a lot of drinking - like Hogarth's Gin Lane 200 years ago - and society eventually responds and drinks less," he told BBC Radio 5 live. | |
"And what's important is to get behind the history curves that are happening and give them a push in the right direction. | |
"I think raising the price of alcohol would be giving a push to bring down the consumption levels further." | |
'Let down' | 'Let down' |
The trend mirrors the findings published in the Crime Survey of England and Wales, a massive rolling project that interviews people about their experiences of crime, whether or not they have gone to the police. | The trend mirrors the findings published in the Crime Survey of England and Wales, a massive rolling project that interviews people about their experiences of crime, whether or not they have gone to the police. |
Crimes recorded by the police also show long-term falls in violence, but the Office for National Statistics recently said that data from forces could not be considered reliable. | Crimes recorded by the police also show long-term falls in violence, but the Office for National Statistics recently said that data from forces could not be considered reliable. |
There is no comparable data for injuries from violent incidents in Northern Ireland or Scotland. | There is no comparable data for injuries from violent incidents in Northern Ireland or Scotland. |
However, a Police Service of Northern Ireland report on recorded crime trends, published last July, found that violent crime figures had remained "fairly constant" since 2007/2008. | However, a Police Service of Northern Ireland report on recorded crime trends, published last July, found that violent crime figures had remained "fairly constant" since 2007/2008. |
There had been a "small decrease", from 30,445 incidents in 2011/2012 to 30,305 in 2012/2013, the report added. | There had been a "small decrease", from 30,445 incidents in 2011/2012 to 30,305 in 2012/2013, the report added. |
The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey, published last month, showed there had been a 22% drop in recorded incidents of violent crime since 2008-2009. | The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey, published last month, showed there had been a 22% drop in recorded incidents of violent crime since 2008-2009. |
In a separate report published on Wednesday, a watchdog urged probation services to do more to tackle alcohol misuse by offenders. | In a separate report published on Wednesday, a watchdog urged probation services to do more to tackle alcohol misuse by offenders. |
Paul McDowell, Chief Inspector of Probation, said that good work in rehabilitating offenders in the UK was being "let down" by a lack of attention to alcohol, despite its known link to violence. | Paul McDowell, Chief Inspector of Probation, said that good work in rehabilitating offenders in the UK was being "let down" by a lack of attention to alcohol, despite its known link to violence. |