Suicides at all-time low

The suicide rate has reached an all-time low, government figures published today reveal.

The Office of National Statistics figures show a three-year average of 8.5 suicides per 100,000 people from 2003-5, down from 9.4 in 1995; the government wants to cut the rate to 7.3 by 2011.

The Department of Health also produced a booklet for agencies on preventing suicides at “hotspots” such as railway bridges or cliffs.