Study finds drop in serious violence with fewer people attending A&E
Figures have been released by researchers at Cardiff University.
The number of people being treated in hospital following incidents of serious violence across Wales and England has fallen - according to a study by Cardiff University.
Researchers looked at the numbers attending A&E departments, minor injury units and walk in centres and found a drop of 14 percent between 2022 and 2023.
The University’s Violence Research Group found that an estimated 141,804 people attended across England and Wales for violence-related injury in 2023, down 22,919 or 14% from 2022.
Emergency hospital treatment for violence-related injury among most age groups decreased in 2023 compared to 2022 and included a 3.7% decrease in 11-17 year olds, a 25% decrease in 18-30 year olds, and a 15.8% decrease among 31-50 year olds.
Professor Jonathan Shepherd of Cardiff University’s Violence Research Group and co-author of the report, said: “In 2023, the decreases in serious violence harm was greater among males, down 18%, than females, down 5%.
“Our research demonstrates a substantial fall in injury sustained in violence in England and Wales in 2023 compared with 2022, primarily driven by reductions among people aged 18 to 30."
The report found that in 2023, males were twice as likely as females to be treated for violence related injury. Overall, this was more frequent at weekends than on weekdays and in the month of May – trends similar to those observed in previous years.
Professor Shepherd added: “The implementation of strategies are likely to be a major cause for the substantial falls in emergency hospital treatment of people injured in violence in 2023, compared to 2022. These strategies include organised joint prevention implemented by the police, local authorities, and the NHS, and precision policing.
“The decrease among adults aged 18-30 may also reflect that they are staying at home with their parents longer than previously.
“Serious violence in England and Wales, according to our report, has decreased by 55% since 2010 and by 66% since 2001. England and Wales are much safer now.”