Study credits falling alcohol consumption and higher prices for drop in serious violence

A recent study by Cardiff University reports that the rising price of alcohol and a decline in binge drinking may be factors in the significant drop in serious violence throughout England and Wales. The number of people injured in serious assaults across England and Wales dropped by 12% last year with 32,780 fewer people seeking A&E treatment in 2013 than in 2012, according to the national violence surveillance network developed by Cardiff University and reported by The Guardian.

The figures showed the levels of serious violence had dropped every year since 2001, bar a 7% rise in 2008, with a drop in binge drinking and the rising cost of alcohol credited as the cause.

It comes following figures revealing alcohol consumption in the UK is at its lowest level in 23 years while it seems fewer young people than ever are drinking alcohol.

Professor Jonathan Shepherd, director of the university’s violence and society research group and scientific advisor to the Home Office, said: “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. For people most prone to involvement in violence – those aged 18 to 30 – falls in disposable income are probably an important factor.”

The results of the study are based on statistics returned from 117 emergency departments, minor injury units and walk-in centres in England and Wales and revealed the age group most at risk from violence was men aged 18 to 30 on a Saturday and Sunday.

He said: “In addition, since 2008 affordability of alcohol has decreased, the real price of alcohol in both the on-trade and the off-trade has increased and UK alcohol consumption levels have decreased from 10.8 litres per capita in 2008 to 10 litres per capita in 2011. These factors may partly explain the falls in serious violence in England and Wales.”

Responding to the report,Henry Ashworth, chief executive of the Portman Group, said: “We welcome the sustained fall in alcohol related violence over more than a decade. Hard work by local partnerships between local authorities, police, drinks businesses and community groups is proving most effective at both growing night time economies and reducing harms. For those local communities that still suffer disproportionately from anti-social behaviour we would urge them to embrace this partnership working”.