§ Stephen HesfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many murders have been committed by persons with mental disorders in the community but not taking their medicine in the periods(a) 1990 to 1993, (b) 1993 to 1997, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 2000 to 2002. [82806]
§ Jacqui SmithThe National Confidential Inquiry in to Suicides and Homicides by People with a Mental Illness started data gathering in 1996, and have data which are fully analysed and published available to the end of 1999.
The data show that between 1 April 1996 and 31 March 1999 there were a total of 145 homicides committed by people with a mental illness who had been in contact with mental health services (i.e. secondary care) in England and Wales in the 12 months prior to the homicide offence. Of these 32, or 26 per cent., were reported to be non-compliant with medication in the month before the event.