Analysis of violence-related ambulance call-outs in the North West of England to explore the impact of calendar events, public holidays, and COVID-19 restrictions

Abstract Objective Healthcare data can provide key insights into the nature, extent, and trends in violence; however, few studies have analysed ambulance call-out data. We analysed ambulance call-out data to examine the extent of violence-related call outs, and how trends are influenced by calendar events (e.g. weekends, public holidays) and COVID-19 restrictions. Methods Secondary data analysis of assault call-outs ( N = 52,052) over a 6-year period (2018/19–2023/24) across a region of the United Kingdom. Generalised linear models analysed changes by weekend, holidays, and COVID-19 restrictions. Results Assaults were higher on weekends, bank holidays, and during the Christmas/New Year period. Assaults were particularly higher on New Year’s Eve [incident rate ratio (IRR) = 2.65 (95% CI = 2.38, 2.95), p < .001]. Celebration days without public holidays were not generally associated with increased violence, apart from Halloween and Valentine’s Day. Assaults were generally higher during summer months, peaking in August [IRR=1.43 (95% CI = 1.37, 1.50), p < .001]. Assaults were lower during national COVID-19 restrictions, and higher during local-level COVID-19 restrictions. Conclusions Ambulance call-out data provides useful information on the extent and nature of violence across the calendar year and other significant events such as COVID-19 restrictions. Ambulance data shows similarities with other data sources (e.g. police and healthcare), with increases on weekends and public holidays. There was some evidence that violence decreased during national COVID-19 restrictions and increased during local-level restrictions. Further work is needed to encourage data sharing between health, police, and wider partners to inform violence prevention.