Violence Prevention Framework for Scotland: Monitoring Framework, 2025

9. Reduction in serious physical injury from violence

9.1 Number of emergency hospital admissions as a result of assault (total and by sharp object)

Figure 17: There has been a reduction in emergency hospital admissions due to assault and assault with a sharp object over the longer term.

Emergency hospital admissions as a result of assault (total and by a sharp object), Scotland, 2008-09 to 2024-25.

Source: Public Health Scotland - Unintentional Injuries in Scotland, 2024-25.

There has been a reduction in emergency hospital admissions due to assault over the longer term. Between 2008-09 and 2024-25, the number of emergency hospital admissions due to assault fell by 71% (from 5,285 admissions to 1,554 admissions respectively). The number of emergency hospital admissions due to assault with a sharp object also fell by 73% over the same period (from 1,414 admissions in 2008-09 to 376 in 2024-25).

The majority of admissions due to assault and assault with a sharp object since 2008-09 involved individuals over 18 years of age[44], for example in 2024-25 the figures were 93% and 94% respectively. In 2024-25 fewer young people under the age of 18 (23) were admitted due to assault with a sharp object than in any year since the baseline year of 2008/09 (when it was 133), a reduction of 79% over this time period.

The majority of admissions due to assault and assault with a sharp object since 2008-09 involved individuals who were male, for example in 2024-25 the figures were 84% and 91% respectively.