By Lucy Caulkett-
Serious violence involving children in England and Wales increased by more than ten per cent last year, close to pre-Covid levels, according to a new report by Cardiff University.
This included a jump of almost 80 per cent in serious violence involving those aged ten years or younger.
Led by eminent Professor Jonathan Shepherd(pictured) of Cardiff University’s Violence Research Group, the research found that an estimated 164,723 people attended A&E in England and Wales for violence-related injury in 2022 – up by 17,867 or 12 per cent from 2021, after a similar rise in the previous year – the only time this has happened in consecutive years since 2001.
The report found serious violence among all age groups “increased significantly” in 2022, compared with the previous year – including an increase of 79.6 per cent in those aged ten years or under, a 24.5 per cent rise in 11 to 17 year olds, a 3.8 per cent increase among 18 to 30 year olds, a 14.4 per cent increase in those aged 31 to 50, and a 17 per cent rise in those over 51 years.
The report on serious violence in England and Wales in 2022 is based on data from 88 emergency departments, minor injury units and walk-in centres.
Professor Shepherd, who co-authored the report, said: “Since 2000, and including the period of the Covid-19 epidemic, data collected in hospital emergency departments represent the only reliable and consistent source of information on violence causing injury in England and Wales.
“In the period of the Covid-19 epidemic, violence fell steeply during the public health restrictions, from an estimated 175,764 people treated for violence related injury in 2019 to 119,111 in 2020. In 2021, when these restrictions had largely ended, serious violence increased, by 23 per cent.
“We have seen further increases in violence in 2022, with a total of 41,628 people treated for violence-related injuries in the 88 emergency departments, minor injury units and walk-in centres we included in our study.”
The report found that serious violence – especially affecting males – was greatest on Saturdays and Sundays. Serious violence also peaked in May and July. The team found that increases in serious violence continue to align with Covid-19 relaxation measures in 2022.
“Between 2021 and 2022, we have seen a 12 per cent increase in violence in England and Wales, increases in violent injury across all age groups and genders, larger increases among children aged up to ten years and smaller increases in adults aged 18 to 30 relative to other age groups,” added Professor Shepherd.
“Overall, the increase is almost to levels in violence observed immediately prior to the Covid-19 epidemic. In 2022, serious violence was only 6.2 per cent lower than pre-Covid levels in 2019.”
The team said its findings, along with the lessons learnt from the Covid-19 pandemic, point to the need to “strengthen the prevention of violence outside the home”, especially at weekends and in the night-time economy.
An important priority is to prevent violence in which children are injured outside the home, including those of primary school age and in and around schools, said researchers.
Professor Shepherd said: “The most important message from the Covid-19 era as far as violence is concerned, is that it can be prevented. Violence is not inevitable.
“Redoubling and targeting prevention efforts will reduce its burdens on citizens, families and across public services, not least on costly, hard pressed hospital emergency departments.”
This 22nd annual report on serious violence in England and Wales is produced by the Violence Research Group. It includes data from the National Violence Surveillance Network, led by Cardiff University’s Professor Vaseekaran Sivarajasingam.
Professor Shepherd who is a member of the Cabinet Office What Works Council, the Home Office Science Advisory Council and the Welsh Government Public Services Leadership Group.
His proposal in 2008 for an independent professional body for policing was taken up by government; the new College of Policing was launched in 2013 underpinned by primary legislation. My proposal for a similar standard setting institution for probation – now the Probation Institute – was also adopted by government.
He was also key in the establishment of the new College of Teaching, the independent standard setting institution for school teachers and 0-19 teaching, of which I am a founder trustee. These three new national institutions were all inspired by the medical Royal College model.