Yahoo News Serious violence falls dramatically in Wales
Serious violence in England and Wales has reduced dramatically, a new study reports. Research by Cardiff University shows that the crime has dropped by 14% for 2023's figures compared to the previous year. The data is based on information from 219 Emergency Departments, Minor Injury Units and Walk-in-Centres.
The University’s Violence Research Group found that an estimated 141,804 people attended Emergency Departments for violence-related injury in 2023, down 22,919 or 14% from 2022. The largest decrease was among those aged 18-30 where serious violence had dropped by 25%.
While there had been increases in the two previous years thought to be driven by the Covid pandemic, these new figures "resumes the steady downward trajectory of violence", says the University.
Conceringly, the biggest jump in the number of violent incidents by age group comes in the youngest category. The data shows there was a 52.8% increase in violence in 0-10 year olds. The oldest category - over 50s- also saw an increase of 7.7%.
Across all age groups, there was 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.
The report also 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 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 estimated 53% increase in emergency violence-related emergency department attendances of children aged 0-10 needs to be treated with considerable caution because numbers were low, 1279 in 2023, and have fluctuated between years. For example, the estimated number in 2022 was 699.”
Professor Shepherd added that the reduction is likely down to things like younger adults staying at home with their parents longer and police strategy. He said: “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.”
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