• V Sivarajasingam and J P Shepherd.
• Violence Research Group, University of Wales College of Medicine, UK.
• Emerg Med J. 2001 Mar 1; 18 (2): 105-9.

ObjectivesTo identify overall, seasonal, sex and age specific national trends in community violence from an accident and emergency (A&E) department perspective.Design And SettingProspective collection of national violence data from a stratified random sample of 33 A&E departments in England and Wales.MethodsData were analysed for the three years from May 1995 to April 1998. Time series statistical methods were used to detect trends among those aged 0-10, 11-17, 18-30, 31-50 and 51 + years.Results121475 assaults were identified: 89533 (74%) men sustained injury. Forty five per cent were aged 18-30. The significant trends were an increase in injured women and those aged 31-50. Significant seasonal trends were identified for both sexes and all age groups: peaks were found in July to September and troughs in February to April.ConclusionsThere was no overall significant change in levels of violence between 1995-1998 from an A&E department perspective. Numbers of women injured and those aged 31-50 increased significantly. The incidence of injury sustained in community violence is biphasic: is highest during July to September and lowest during February to April. National A&E department violence surveillance provides a unique perspective.

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