THE amount of people admitted to A&E in Worcestershire due to assault almost halved from 166 in 2012 to 93 last year.

The statistics are in line with a national report published this week showing a drop in the amount of people injured in serious violence dropped by 12 per cent in 2013 compared to the previous year, which researchers have said is at least partially down to an increase in alcohol prices reducing levels of binge drinking.

In West Mercia as a whole violent crime in which a victim was injured was down 10.2 per cent in 2013-14 compared with the previous year. The decrease was lower in south Worcestershire – the area encompassing from Tewkesbury to Stourport – where the crime dropped by 6.4 per cent while the north Worcestershire area saw a decrease of 13.3 per cent.

West Mercia Police Superintendent Mark Travis said he was pleased to see the reduction.

"We have completed a number of proactive operations to target drugs, burglary and violent crime,” he said. “I would ask for the continued support of the public to provide us with the information to tackle these crimes and to improve residents’ quality of life.

"Policing is not just about arrests and the recent response to the flooding evidences the importance of partnership working to tackle a broad range of threats from anti-social behaviour, to serious crime such as domestic abuse or sexual offences to the challenges of flooding and the weather.

“I would like to thank my staff who have delivered a very effective service during a busy and challenging year."

The study by Cardiff University found violence among males decreased by 19.1 per cent last year and 14.1 per cent for women. Those most at risk of being seriously injured in violent attacks were men aged between 18 and 30, with the greatest amount of violent incidents occurring on weekends.

The price of alcohol had increased by 24 per cent between 1980 and 2012 and, although disposable income had increased by 99 per cent, overall alcohol consumption had dropped from 10.8 litres per capita in 2008 to 10 litres in 2011.

Following the announcement chairman of the British Medical Association's Board of Science Sheila Hollins has called on the government to enforce a minimum price for alcohol of at least 50p per unit.

"Alcohol misuse places serious strain on a number of already overstretched public services which is why doctors, the police and emergency services all support minimum unit pricing,” she said.

"Prevention is better - and cheaper - than cure, and if the government is serious about tackling alcohol related harm, it needs review its position on minimum unit pricing, which would reduce harm amongst the heaviest drinkers while leaving responsible drinkers largely unaffected."