Written question asked by Baroness Barker (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Warner (Labour) on Monday, 18 December 2006.

Crime: Mental Health

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:What research they have carried out relating to the number of homicides committed by people with mental illness; what are the trends in this number; what lessons they have learnt from these cases; and whether they have any plans to publish this research.

Answer: The Government have commissioned the national confidential inquiry into suicide and homicide by people with mental illness to examine all incidences of suicide and homicide by people in contact with mental health services in the United Kingdom. The inquiry’s latest report covering England and Wales, which was published on 4 December 2006, shows no clear evidence of either a rise or a fall in the number of homicides by people with mental illness. The report is available in the library and can be downloaded from http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/suicideprevention/nci/.

Secondary information