Citation

Crichton JHM. BJPsych Bull 2017; 41(4): 185-186.

Affiliation

School of Law, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Royal College of Psychiatrists)

DOI

10.1192/pb.bp.116.054924

PMID

28811910

PMCID

PMC5537570

Abstract

The sustained fall in Scottish homicide rates follows crime reduction measures informed by the epidemiology of suicide. The violence reduction unit targeted young men carrying knives in public. The restriction of weapons immediately to hand appears to have caused an absolute fall in homicide just as suicide reduction was observed following changes to domestic gas supply. Further homicide reduction may be accomplished in the domestic setting with targeted changes in kitchen knife design in home safety planning for high-risk households. Most commonly homicides involving those in recent contact with mental health services in the UK have domestic characteristics and similar safety planning may be targeted at those with mental disorder and a history of violence.

Language: en