PFD report

Bethany Paige Langton · Prevention of Future Deaths report

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Issued 30 Jul 2024•Nottinghamshire

Report record

Published report and response evidence

This page connects the concerns raised in this report with statements found in recipients’ published responses. A link shows a clear evidence connection; it does not assign responsibility.

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Concerns
6

Raised in this report

Recipients
2

Named on the report

Responses found
1

Of 2 recipients

Stated actions
6

Described in responses

Recipients and published responses

Source document

Full report text

This is the full text from the original published report.

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Concerns and recipient responses

Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

Concerns raised6

  1. Continued public availability of online guidance on sourcing and using the substance for suicide
    Part of recurring concern: Inadequate controls on access to online suicide-promoting content
  2. Continued ease of public availability of the substance
    Part of recurring concern: Inadequate controls on the sale and online access to highly toxic substances
  3. Failure to require explanation of purchasers’ intended use of the substance
    Part of recurring concern: Uncontrolled promotion and supply of substances for suicide
Responses linked to these concerns

Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.

Actions described in response An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.4

  1. Action

    Work with online suppliers and manufacturers to remove the substance from sale to individuals in its pure form.

    Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 October 2024.
  2. Action

    Work with internet service providers, technology companies, social media platforms and expert advisers to tackle harmful pro-suicide forums.

    Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 October 2024.
  3. Action

    Continue operational collaboration with Border Force, police and other partners to reduce access to the substance for suicide purposes.

    Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 October 2024.

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Continued public availability of online guidance on sourcing and using the substance for suicide

Wider context from the report

“3. Beth used the internet to research how to source and use ████████ to bring about her death. She followed that guidance meticulously. That same guidance was still readily available on the internet at the time of her inquest, although I believe it might now have been removed. What system is in place to ensure that such websites are detected promptly and made unavailable to the public in a timely fashion? ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Inadequate controls on access to online suicide-promoting content.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Continued ease of public availability of the substance

Wider context from the report

“1. The continued ease of availability of ████████ to members of the public. The substance is lethal when ingested, even in relatively small quantities. It’s use in suicide is increasing. The substance is readily available to purchase online without the need for any explanation of the purchaser’s intended use for the substance, or an end user certificate/licence to track where it is being distributed. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Inadequate controls on the sale and online access to highly toxic substances.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Failure to require explanation of purchasers’ intended use of the substance

Wider context from the report

“1. The continued ease of availability of ████████ to members of the public. The substance is lethal when ingested, even in relatively small quantities. It’s use in suicide is increasing. The substance is readily available to purchase online without the need for any explanation of the purchaser’s intended use for the substance, or an end user certificate/licence to track where it is being distributed. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Uncontrolled promotion and supply of substances for suicide.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of business awareness that the substance is being obtained for suicide

Wider context from the report

“2. Lack of awareness amongst businesses that the substance is being obtained for this purpose. The company who supplied Beth with the ████████ used in her death, had no idea that the substance might be sourced by individuals for this purpose. Had they have been aware of the risk, they would likely have improved systems for investigating the intended use, or would have stopped offering the item for sale to individuals, as they have now done so. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Failure to ensure substance vendors recognise suicide and self-harm misuse risks; Inadequate controls on the sale and online access to highly toxic substances.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of a system for prompt detection and removal of websites providing guidance on sourcing and using the substance for suicide

Wider context from the report

“3. Beth used the internet to research how to source and use ████████ to bring about her death. She followed that guidance meticulously. That same guidance was still readily available on the internet at the time of her inquest, although I believe it might now have been removed. What system is in place to ensure that such websites are detected promptly and made unavailable to the public in a timely fashion? ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Inadequate controls on access to online suicide-promoting content.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Failure to use end-user certification or licensing to track distribution of the substance

Wider context from the report

“1. The continued ease of availability of ████████ to members of the public. The substance is lethal when ingested, even in relatively small quantities. It’s use in suicide is increasing. The substance is readily available to purchase online without the need for any explanation of the purchaser’s intended use for the substance, or an end user certificate/licence to track where it is being distributed. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Uncontrolled promotion and supply of substances for suicide.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Work with online suppliers and manufacturers to remove the substance from sale to individuals in its pure form.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The group has worked with business, including online suppliers and manufacturers of the substance, to significantly reduce access. We have also worked with major online suppliers to remove it from sale to individuals in its pure form. We continue to work operationally with our broader partners, including Border Force and the police on interventions to reduce access to this specific substance for the purpose of suicide. These actions are kept under operational review.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 2 · response
Published 14 October 2024

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Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Work with internet service providers, technology companies, social media platforms and expert advisers to tackle harmful pro-suicide forums.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The Act provides Ofcom with a robust suite of enforcement powers, including business disruptions measures and significant fines for use in the case of non-compliance. The Government has also worked with internet service providers, tech companies and social media platforms, as well as expert advisors such as the Samaritans, to tackle harmful pro-suicide forums.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 2 · response
Published 14 October 2024

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Continue operational collaboration with Border Force, police and other partners to reduce access to the substance for suicide purposes.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The group has worked with business, including online suppliers and manufacturers of the substance, to significantly reduce access. We have also worked with major online suppliers to remove it from sale to individuals in its pure form. We continue to work operationally with our broader partners, including Border Force and the police on interventions to reduce access to this specific substance for the purpose of suicide. These actions are kept under operational review.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 2 · response
Published 14 October 2024

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Coordinate cross-sector work through an emerging methods working group to reduce public access to and awareness of suicide methods.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The Government has taken steps to reduce access to and awareness of this substance and therefore reduce the risks of further deaths by suicide. The Department of Health and Social Care leads an emerging methods working group to prevent awareness and access to substances such as this one. The working group involves representatives from the voluntary, community and social enterprises sector, police, academics, and the NHS, as well as government departments including the Home Office and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The group ensures rapid targeted actions to collectively reduce public access to emerging methods, including this particular substance. This includes reducing the sale and importation of methods where appropriate as well as reducing references to, and limiting awareness of, them.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 1 · response
Published 14 October 2024

Open published response

Other statements in published responses

These actions and other statements could not be clearly connected to one concern in this report.

Recipient-stated actions An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.2

  1. 1

    Recruit 8,500 specially trained mental health workers to support people at risk from suicide.

    Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 14 October 2024.
  2. 2

    Implement the actions in England’s five-year, cross-government suicide prevention strategy.

    Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 October 2024.

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Recruit 8,500 specially trained mental health workers to support people at risk from suicide.

Verbatim wording from the response

“As part of our mission to build an NHS fit for the future, the Government has committed to tackling suicide as one of this country’s biggest killers and recruiting 8,500 new mental health workers who will be specially trained to support people at risk from suicide.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 2 · response
Published 14 October 2024

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Implement the actions in England’s five-year, cross-government suicide prevention strategy.

Verbatim wording from the response

“In addition, in September 2023 the multi-sector and cross-government suicide prevention strategy for England was published. The five-year strategy set out over 130 actions aimed at reducing the rates of suicide in England and work continues to implement these actions.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 2 · response
Published 14 October 2024

Open published response
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Information checked against the published report and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Data last updated 7 September 2026