Information on suspected victim suicides

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.041278

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. Please can you provide figures only for Suspected VICTIM Suicides as logged and collected for the VKPP and NPCC’s yearly Domestic Homicide Project report (which collects cases of Domestic Homicides and Suspected VICTIM suicides in cases of domestic abuse).

Please give me annual figures for the last three years (March 2021 till most recent available date), and only through data collected for this project so as to avoid searching generally through deaths in this timeframe.

• Of these deaths, please can you tell me their initial classification within the terms of -
• Unexpected death - investigated and non-suspicious
• Unexpected death - under investigation
• Homicide

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

As requested, the MPS has only referred to information held by the Vulnerability Knowledge and Practice Programme (VKPP).

On that basis the MPS can answer your request as follows;

• 2021 – 10 Suicides
• 2022 – 11 Suicides (1 reclassification from unexplained to homicide)
• 2023 – 11 Suicides (1 reclassification from unexplained to homicide)
• 2024 – 13 Suicides to current date 19/11/2024 (includes 2 case from 2023 as late notifications to VKPP)

The records above are figures/reports submitted to the VKPP. They are all classified as unexpected deaths but where we believe it is suicide. They may be subject to Domestic Homicide Review also known as Domestic Abuse Related Death Review.

The VKPP advice suicide is the term used by the coroner where the facts have determined that the death was as the result of self-killing. Self-killing is the term applied to those deaths where evidence suggests that the deceased has taken their own life. Officers should avoid using the word suicide with family and or next of kin as this may be difficult for them to accept. Police should also avoid using the word suicide when talking to the media unless these are the findings of a Coroner’s court. The cause of death is something for the medical profession and ultimately the coroner to determine. Police are advised to therefore refer to the death as unexpected until a case is fully investigated.

Further Advice

I refer you to the following NPCC website regarding VKPP;

Vulnerability Knowledge and Practice Programme (VKPP) (npcc.police.uk)

The NPCC comes under the Freedom of Information Act. For further information, visit the Freedom of Information section of this website. If you do not find the information you are looking for, you can also make a request for information to [email protected]