Senior clinicians from the capital’s Accident and Emergency departments, and representatives from the police, met to discuss the work of six London NHS Trusts who have been piloting a data sharing scheme to combat violent crime.
As part of the Home Office’s Tackling Knives Action Programme (TKAP), the Regional Public Health Group and NHS London have been working with Primary Care Trusts, the Government Office for London, the Metropolitan Police, and the Greater London Authority to address both knife crime and alcohol-related violence.
It was launched in June 2008 to tackle knife crime in hotspot areas. The number of individuals admitted to NHS hospitals in London following assault with a ‘sharp object’, has been increasing year on year since 2002/2003.
However, latest figures claim that assault with a sharp object among those aged 13 to 19 years, fell by 26 per cent in England – 30 per cent in the areas targeted by the Tackling Knives Action Programme and 17 per cent in other areas.
Hospital A&E departments in the pilot schemes collect simple data on assaults. Information collected includes the type and location of assault, and details of assailants. This can then be used alongside other data from the Metropolitan Police and the British Crime Survey, and help map crime hotspots. All information is anonymised before being shared.
In turn, this can lead to prevention initiatives, such as introducing plastic glasses in ‘hotspot area’ bars, changes to opening times of licensed premises, targeted street patrols, CCTV, and pedestrianisation of entertainment streets. Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: "We are determined to stamp out knife crime, any life lost in this way is one too many.
"Sharing data between hospitals and police forces is crucial, it enables us to gain a full picture of what is happening on our streets, it allows us to target action in the areas where it is most needed and that in turn reduces knife crime offences. Since last June, the number of hospitals sharing data has now doubled to 45 hospitals in TKAP areas have already started to share data and work continues to broaden this approach further.
"We know sharing data works. In Cardiff, the area that led the way, there has been a significant fall in knife crime and by working with as many hospitals as possible I hope we can replicate this across the country."
Public Health Minister, Dawn Primarolo, said: "Working together to prevent harm from violent crime cannot be underestimated. I commend the trailblazing work of all the pilot schemes in London, and hope that others will be encouraged to come on board."
Dr Simon Tanner, Regional Director of Public Health in London, said: "Healthcare professionals have a key role in tackling violent crime by sharing anonymous data with their Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships. I am delighted today’s summit has brought together our partners to share learning from the excellent work already happening and I hope demonstrates our commitment to working together to reduce violent crime across the capital."
Minister for London, Tony McNulty, said: "We’ve heard today about the successful progress of a number of London hospitals towards using data on assaults to help tackle violent crime. I want to see the learning from these early adopter sites shared right across London, and boroughs that are not yet on involved in this initiative should take a serious look at how they can take it forward.
"It is a further, useful resource which can help the police and community safety teams see patterns of where violent crime is happening, and therefore assist them in preventing it, and in keeping Londoners safer."
