HC Deb 03 July 1998 vol 315 cc287-8W
Mr. Öpik

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to collect statistics on the number of murders committed by people treated under the care in the community policy; and if he will make a statement. [47436]

Mr. Michael

[holding answer 30 June 1998]: There are no immediate plans for the Home Office to collect this information, but we shall keep the situation under review.

The National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness, funded by the Department of Health, is conducting research in this area and published a progress report last December. This showed that 12 per cent. of homicides so far examined by them involved a person who had been in contact with specialist mental health services in the year before the homicide.

Their next report is due for publication in 1999 and will contain additional information in respect of such homicides.