KEY FINDINGS – SUMMARY

• 44,426 strangulation and suffocation offences were recorded in England and Wales between June 2024 and June 2025
• This represents a 13% increase on the previous year
• Recorded offences have risen by 87% since the law was introduced in 2022
• More than four in five police forces reported an increase in offences over the past year
• The rise is national and consistent, not confined to specific regions
• IFAS warns that gaps in police recording and data quality continue to limit understanding of repeat victimisation and escalation

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New analysis by the Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS) shows that recorded strangulation and suffocation offences continue to rise across England and Wales, three years after the offence was introduced.

The latest data, covering June 2024 to June 2025, shows that 44,426 strangulation and suffocation offences were recorded by police in England and Wales and reported to IFAS through a Freedom of Information request to the Home Office. This represents a 13 per cent increase on the previous year and an 87 per cent increase compared with the first year the offence was recorded.

The increase is widespread. More than four in five police forces recorded a rise in offences over the past year, indicating that the growth is not confined to specific regions but reflects a national pattern

Strangulation is recognised as a high-risk behaviour associated with serious physical harm, long-term psychological impact and increased risk of homicide. However, IFAS warns that gaps in police recording and data quality continue to limit understanding of the full risk profile of these offences, including repeat victimisation and escalation.

The report highlights ongoing challenges with data completeness, including variation in how offences are recorded across police forces. IFAS says improved consistency, alongside specialist training for frontline professionals, is essential to ensure strangulation is identified accurately and responded to effectively.

Bernie Ryan OBE, CEO of IFAS, said:

“The sustained increase in recorded strangulation offences shows that this behaviour is being identified more often, but it also raises urgent questions about prevention, escalation and long-term safety. The government’s Freedom from Violence and Abuse strategy rightly emphasises the need for prevention, without consistent data and specialist understanding, opportunities to intervene early and prevent further harm can be missed.”

Dr Zoe Callon, Research Officer of IFAS, said:

“The data within this report highlights that the prevalence of strangulation and suffocation offences continues to increase year on year. However, the report also outlines inconsistency in reporting and issues surrounding missing data throughout the three years. With the volume of reports continuing to rise, it is important that these fundamental issues with police data are addressed, to improve the evidence-base regarding strangulation and suffocation offences.”

Professor Cath White, Medical Director of IFAS and Forensic Physician, said:

“Strangulation can cause devastating injury in seconds, even when there are no visible marks. The continued rise in recorded offences underlines the importance of recognising strangulation early, responding appropriately, and understanding the serious risks it presents.”

IFAS has worked with policing, prosecution and frontline partners to strengthen understanding of strangulation as a distinct and dangerous offence, supporting improved training, research and evidence-based responses.

The organisation is calling for continued investment in:

• consistent national recording and flagging of strangulation offences
• specialist training across policing, healthcare and safeguarding settings
• improved data to support risk assessment, prevention and victim protection.

“Behind every statistic is a person,” Ryan added. “Improving how we identify, record and respond to strangulation is critical to protecting victims and preventing further harm and holding perpetrators to account.”

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