Cardiff University
Levels of serious violence in England and Wales fell by almost a third in 2020, reflecting COVID-19 lockdowns and other restrictions.
Analysis by Cardiff University’s Violence Research Group shows 56,653 fewer people were treated in hospital for violence-related injuries in 2020 compared to 2019.
Data gathered from 133 NHS hospital emergency units showed that 119,111 people attended for treatment of violence-related injuries in 2020, down from 175,764 in 2019.
Emergency hospital treatment for violent injury among males and females declined by 33% and 29% respectively in 2020 – the biggest falls since Cardiff University’s first report on violence from this NHS perspective 20 years ago.
Declines were found in all age groups and were greatest (66%) among children aged under 11.
Violent crime falls sharply during Covid lockdown - study
By Steve Swann
Published
image copyrightGetty Images
Covid-19 restrictions led to the sharpest fall in violent crime for at least 20 years, a report suggests.
Violence was down by a third in England and Wales in 2020 compared with the previous year, according to research by Cardiff University. From a violence perspective, 2020 was the safest year on record, said co-author Prof Jonathan Shepherd.
But the report also found that the easing of restrictions was accompanied by rapid increases in violence.
Cardiff University s Violence Research Group analysed data for the whole of 2020 from 133 NHS hospital emergency departments, minor-injury units and walk-in centres, across England and Wales.
Serious violence fell during lockdown with fewer victims needing 999 treatment
Study revealed the largest reduction in cases needing hospital treatment since researchers’ first report 20 years ago
The video will auto-play soon8Cancel
Play now
Sign up to the Hull Live newsletter for daily updates and breaking newsInvalid EmailSomething went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up here!
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Your information will be used in accordance with ourPrivacy Notice.
Thank you for subscribingWe have more newslettersShow meSee ourprivacy notice
Serious violence fell by almost a third in 2020 during coronavirus lockdowns and restrictions, a study has indicated.