PFD report

Hannah Mary AITKEN · Prevention of Future Deaths report

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Issued 14 Nov 2024•Surrey

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
2

Of 2 recipients

Stated actions
20

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. Lack of active consideration of controls on public access to the substances
  2. Lack of central monitoring of poisoning incidents involving the substances
    Part of recurring concern: Inadequate controls for sodium nitrite poisoning risks
  3. Unrestricted domestic sale of the substances
    Part of recurring concern: Inadequate control of access to means of self-harmPart of recurring concern: Inadequate controls on the sale and online access to highly toxic substancesPart 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.13

  1. Action

    Strengthen controls on reportable poisons, including suspicious-transaction reporting, online-marketplace obligations, and supplier personnel awareness requirements.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 November 2024.
  2. Action

    Work with the Department of Health and Social Care and relevant stakeholders to assess the benefits and proportionality of further regulation addressing overseas sales, purity, and quantities.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 November 2024.
  3. Action

    Continue work to ensure suppliers meet their obligations under the Poisons Act.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 November 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

Lack of active consideration of controls on public access to the substances

Wider context from the report

“The Court heard anecdotal evidence from three Emergency Medical Consultants and others witnesses that in their direct experience, the use of ████████ for self-harm is increasing. However, none were aware of a central monitoring system which is able to record incidents of ████████ poisoning. ████████ are reportable substances under the Poisons Act 1972. The only obligation under this legislation is that domestic sellers must report reasonable grounds for believing transactions are suspicious. There are no restrictions on the import of ████████ from abroad. Since 2020, the Home Office has received at least five Prevention of Future Death Reports relating to ████████ The Home Secretary has recently provided reassurance in response to the Regulation 28 report relating to the death of Dr Jonathan Shaw that “the Home Office is actively exploring legislative and policy options, including working with or alongside officials of other Government Departments as appropriate, for the control of ████████ (and other similar substances)”. The Home Office has clarified in evidence during this inquest that the policy objective of the Poisons Act 1972 is to control access to explosives precursors and poisons and to detect terrorist use of these substances to illicitly manufacture explosives or to cause harm to third parties. Prevention of suicide/self-harm is not a policy objective of the Home Office under this Act, and this falls under the remit of the Department for Health and Social Care. No evidence was provided that there is active consideration of controlling access to these substances to the general public, whether under the remit of the Home Office or any other Government department. Whilst these substances have legitimate uses, including ████████ ████████ there does not appear to have been consideration as to whether the purity can be diluted, or any other measures taken, to reduce the risk posed by the quantities in which these substances are currently sold, against the risk to life that they can pose. - ████████ can be purchased domestically with no restrictions save a duty on sellers to report suspicious transactions; - ████████ can be purchased from abroad and imported to Great Britain with no restrictions; ████████ ████████ - The quantities and purity in which ████████ are sold do not appear to be those required for their legitimate use, for example in ████████ - It does not appear there is any consideration of regulating/monitoring the use of ████████ outside the limited provisions of the Poisons Act 1972, and it is not clear which Government department would be responsible for this. Consideration should be given to whether any steps can be taken to address the above concerns. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

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 central monitoring of poisoning incidents involving the substances

Wider context from the report

“The Court heard anecdotal evidence from three Emergency Medical Consultants and others witnesses that in their direct experience, the use of ████████ for self-harm is increasing. However, none were aware of a central monitoring system which is able to record incidents of ████████ poisoning. ████████ are reportable substances under the Poisons Act 1972. The only obligation under this legislation is that domestic sellers must report reasonable grounds for believing transactions are suspicious. There are no restrictions on the import of ████████ from abroad. Since 2020, the Home Office has received at least five Prevention of Future Death Reports relating to ████████ The Home Secretary has recently provided reassurance in response to the Regulation 28 report relating to the death of Dr Jonathan Shaw that “the Home Office is actively exploring legislative and policy options, including working with or alongside officials of other Government Departments as appropriate, for the control of ████████ (and other similar substances)”. The Home Office has clarified in evidence during this inquest that the policy objective of the Poisons Act 1972 is to control access to explosives precursors and poisons and to detect terrorist use of these substances to illicitly manufacture explosives or to cause harm to third parties. Prevention of suicide/self-harm is not a policy objective of the Home Office under this Act, and this falls under the remit of the Department for Health and Social Care. No evidence was provided that there is active consideration of controlling access to these substances to the general public, whether under the remit of the Home Office or any other Government department. Whilst these substances have legitimate uses, including ████████ ████████ there does not appear to have been consideration as to whether the purity can be diluted, or any other measures taken, to reduce the risk posed by the quantities in which these substances are currently sold, against the risk to life that they can pose. - ████████ can be purchased domestically with no restrictions save a duty on sellers to report suspicious transactions; - ████████ can be purchased from abroad and imported to Great Britain with no restrictions; ████████ ████████ - The quantities and purity in which ████████ are sold do not appear to be those required for their legitimate use, for example in ████████ - It does not appear there is any consideration of regulating/monitoring the use of ████████ outside the limited provisions of the Poisons Act 1972, and it is not clear which Government department would be responsible for this. Consideration should be given to whether any steps can be taken to address the above concerns. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Inadequate controls for sodium nitrite poisoning risks.

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

Unrestricted domestic sale of the substances

Wider context from the report

“The Court heard anecdotal evidence from three Emergency Medical Consultants and others witnesses that in their direct experience, the use of ████████ for self-harm is increasing. However, none were aware of a central monitoring system which is able to record incidents of ████████ poisoning. ████████ are reportable substances under the Poisons Act 1972. The only obligation under this legislation is that domestic sellers must report reasonable grounds for believing transactions are suspicious. There are no restrictions on the import of ████████ from abroad. Since 2020, the Home Office has received at least five Prevention of Future Death Reports relating to ████████ The Home Secretary has recently provided reassurance in response to the Regulation 28 report relating to the death of Dr Jonathan Shaw that “the Home Office is actively exploring legislative and policy options, including working with or alongside officials of other Government Departments as appropriate, for the control of ████████ (and other similar substances)”. The Home Office has clarified in evidence during this inquest that the policy objective of the Poisons Act 1972 is to control access to explosives precursors and poisons and to detect terrorist use of these substances to illicitly manufacture explosives or to cause harm to third parties. Prevention of suicide/self-harm is not a policy objective of the Home Office under this Act, and this falls under the remit of the Department for Health and Social Care. No evidence was provided that there is active consideration of controlling access to these substances to the general public, whether under the remit of the Home Office or any other Government department. Whilst these substances have legitimate uses, including ████████ ████████ there does not appear to have been consideration as to whether the purity can be diluted, or any other measures taken, to reduce the risk posed by the quantities in which these substances are currently sold, against the risk to life that they can pose. - ████████ can be purchased domestically with no restrictions save a duty on sellers to report suspicious transactions; - ████████ can be purchased from abroad and imported to Great Britain with no restrictions; ████████ ████████ - The quantities and purity in which ████████ are sold do not appear to be those required for their legitimate use, for example in ████████ - It does not appear there is any consideration of regulating/monitoring the use of ████████ outside the limited provisions of the Poisons Act 1972, and it is not clear which Government department would be responsible for this. Consideration should be given to whether any steps can be taken to address the above concerns. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Inadequate control of access to means of self-harm; Inadequate controls on the sale and online access to highly toxic substances; 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 regulation and monitoring of use of the substances outside the Poisons Act 1972

Wider context from the report

“The Court heard anecdotal evidence from three Emergency Medical Consultants and others witnesses that in their direct experience, the use of ████████ for self-harm is increasing. However, none were aware of a central monitoring system which is able to record incidents of ████████ poisoning. ████████ are reportable substances under the Poisons Act 1972. The only obligation under this legislation is that domestic sellers must report reasonable grounds for believing transactions are suspicious. There are no restrictions on the import of ████████ from abroad. Since 2020, the Home Office has received at least five Prevention of Future Death Reports relating to ████████ The Home Secretary has recently provided reassurance in response to the Regulation 28 report relating to the death of Dr Jonathan Shaw that “the Home Office is actively exploring legislative and policy options, including working with or alongside officials of other Government Departments as appropriate, for the control of ████████ (and other similar substances)”. The Home Office has clarified in evidence during this inquest that the policy objective of the Poisons Act 1972 is to control access to explosives precursors and poisons and to detect terrorist use of these substances to illicitly manufacture explosives or to cause harm to third parties. Prevention of suicide/self-harm is not a policy objective of the Home Office under this Act, and this falls under the remit of the Department for Health and Social Care. No evidence was provided that there is active consideration of controlling access to these substances to the general public, whether under the remit of the Home Office or any other Government department. Whilst these substances have legitimate uses, including ████████ ████████ there does not appear to have been consideration as to whether the purity can be diluted, or any other measures taken, to reduce the risk posed by the quantities in which these substances are currently sold, against the risk to life that they can pose. - ████████ can be purchased domestically with no restrictions save a duty on sellers to report suspicious transactions; - ████████ can be purchased from abroad and imported to Great Britain with no restrictions; ████████ ████████ - The quantities and purity in which ████████ are sold do not appear to be those required for their legitimate use, for example in ████████ - It does not appear there is any consideration of regulating/monitoring the use of ████████ outside the limited provisions of the Poisons Act 1972, and it is not clear which Government department would be responsible for this. Consideration should be given to whether any steps can be taken to address the above concerns. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

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 consideration of controls on the quantities and purity in which the substances are sold

Wider context from the report

“The Court heard anecdotal evidence from three Emergency Medical Consultants and others witnesses that in their direct experience, the use of ████████ for self-harm is increasing. However, none were aware of a central monitoring system which is able to record incidents of ████████ poisoning. ████████ are reportable substances under the Poisons Act 1972. The only obligation under this legislation is that domestic sellers must report reasonable grounds for believing transactions are suspicious. There are no restrictions on the import of ████████ from abroad. Since 2020, the Home Office has received at least five Prevention of Future Death Reports relating to ████████ The Home Secretary has recently provided reassurance in response to the Regulation 28 report relating to the death of Dr Jonathan Shaw that “the Home Office is actively exploring legislative and policy options, including working with or alongside officials of other Government Departments as appropriate, for the control of ████████ (and other similar substances)”. The Home Office has clarified in evidence during this inquest that the policy objective of the Poisons Act 1972 is to control access to explosives precursors and poisons and to detect terrorist use of these substances to illicitly manufacture explosives or to cause harm to third parties. Prevention of suicide/self-harm is not a policy objective of the Home Office under this Act, and this falls under the remit of the Department for Health and Social Care. No evidence was provided that there is active consideration of controlling access to these substances to the general public, whether under the remit of the Home Office or any other Government department. Whilst these substances have legitimate uses, including ████████ ████████ there does not appear to have been consideration as to whether the purity can be diluted, or any other measures taken, to reduce the risk posed by the quantities in which these substances are currently sold, against the risk to life that they can pose. - ████████ can be purchased domestically with no restrictions save a duty on sellers to report suspicious transactions; - ████████ can be purchased from abroad and imported to Great Britain with no restrictions; ████████ ████████ - The quantities and purity in which ████████ are sold do not appear to be those required for their legitimate use, for example in ████████ - It does not appear there is any consideration of regulating/monitoring the use of ████████ outside the limited provisions of the Poisons Act 1972, and it is not clear which Government department would be responsible for this. Consideration should be given to whether any steps can be taken to address the above concerns. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Inadequate controls for sodium nitrite poisoning 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

Unrestricted import of the substances

Wider context from the report

“The Court heard anecdotal evidence from three Emergency Medical Consultants and others witnesses that in their direct experience, the use of ████████ for self-harm is increasing. However, none were aware of a central monitoring system which is able to record incidents of ████████ poisoning. ████████ are reportable substances under the Poisons Act 1972. The only obligation under this legislation is that domestic sellers must report reasonable grounds for believing transactions are suspicious. There are no restrictions on the import of ████████ from abroad. Since 2020, the Home Office has received at least five Prevention of Future Death Reports relating to ████████ The Home Secretary has recently provided reassurance in response to the Regulation 28 report relating to the death of Dr Jonathan Shaw that “the Home Office is actively exploring legislative and policy options, including working with or alongside officials of other Government Departments as appropriate, for the control of ████████ (and other similar substances)”. The Home Office has clarified in evidence during this inquest that the policy objective of the Poisons Act 1972 is to control access to explosives precursors and poisons and to detect terrorist use of these substances to illicitly manufacture explosives or to cause harm to third parties. Prevention of suicide/self-harm is not a policy objective of the Home Office under this Act, and this falls under the remit of the Department for Health and Social Care. No evidence was provided that there is active consideration of controlling access to these substances to the general public, whether under the remit of the Home Office or any other Government department. Whilst these substances have legitimate uses, including ████████ ████████ there does not appear to have been consideration as to whether the purity can be diluted, or any other measures taken, to reduce the risk posed by the quantities in which these substances are currently sold, against the risk to life that they can pose. - ████████ can be purchased domestically with no restrictions save a duty on sellers to report suspicious transactions; - ████████ can be purchased from abroad and imported to Great Britain with no restrictions; ████████ ████████ - The quantities and purity in which ████████ are sold do not appear to be those required for their legitimate use, for example in ████████ - It does not appear there is any consideration of regulating/monitoring the use of ████████ outside the limited provisions of the Poisons Act 1972, and it is not clear which Government department would be responsible for this. Consideration should be given to whether any steps can be taken to address the above concerns. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Inadequate control of access to means of self-harm.

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

Strengthen controls on reportable poisons, including suspicious-transaction reporting, online-marketplace obligations, and supplier personnel awareness requirements.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The substance described in your report is a “reportable” poison listed in Part 4 of Schedule 1A of the Poisons Act. For the avoidance of doubt, this means that whilst it can be bought by members of the public, suspicious transactions need to be reported by retailers if there are questionable grounds for suspecting it is intended for any illicit use. The Poisons Act was amended in October 2023 to strengthen controls, and enhance our suspicious activity reporting requirements, including new obligations for online marketplaces. As well as the requirement to report suspicious transactions, economic operators supplying any reportable substances must now demonstrate that their personnel are aware about which of their products contain listed substances, and are instructed on their obligations.”

Source location

Response from the Home Office
Page 2 · response
Published 14 November 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

Work with the Department of Health and Social Care and relevant stakeholders to assess the benefits and proportionality of further regulation addressing overseas sales, purity, and quantities.

Verbatim wording from the response

“On the issue of further regulation, an aspect of the concern you have raised relates to individuals based in Great Britain, purchasing this substance from overseas retailers. As the Poisons Act only applies to Great Britain (i.e. England, Scotland, and Wales), there is no obligation for retailers based outside the specified jurisdiction to report transactions which they believe to be suspicious. The Department is seeking to address this, as well as”

Source location

Response from the Home Office
Page 2 · response
Published 14 November 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 work to ensure suppliers meet their obligations under the Poisons Act.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Specifically, HSG have engaged with online platforms to encourage them to voluntarily remove the sale to individuals in its pure form. Government expertise in relation to substances of concern is also shared to inform retailer sales practices. This includes encouraging suppliers to use declaration of use forms for sales of such substances. This work will continue to ensure suppliers are meeting their requirements under the Poisons Act. Furthermore, if during the processing of suspicious activity reports a safeguarding concern is identified by Counter Terrorism Policing, consideration will be given to disseminating this intelligence to police forces to consider a welfare check.”

Source location

Response from the Home Office
Page 2 · response
Published 14 November 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

Introduce Border Force guidance on responding to detected goods potentially intended to assist suicide.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Similarly, Border Force has introduced guidance for its officers (operating within its existing legal provisions). This guidance provides instructions on the action they can take if they are in receipt of information, in any form or manner, that leads to a detection of goods at the border containing an item that may be intended to assist with suicide. This of course relies on Border Force working closely with police forces and other relevant agencies to safeguard vulnerable individuals to the full extent possible. This work is complex, and Border Force will continue to monitor its policies, exploring opportunities to improve its ability to take action. Where possible, Border Force will also continue to ensure that frontline staff who may encounter these items know what action to take, and are supported on a case-by-case basis when required.”

Source location

Response from the Home Office
Page 2 · response
Published 14 November 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

Improve retailer awareness of legal reporting duties and engage online platforms to encourage removal of pure-form sales and use of declarations of intended use.

Verbatim wording from the response

“As your report captures, the Home Office is aware of the issues relating to this substance. My officials have been undertaking work across Government to both reduce access to this substance, and raise awareness to suppliers of the dangers of this substance. To this end, the Homeland Security Group (HSG) have been working to improve retailer awareness of their legal obligation to report suspicious activity for regulated and reportable substances.”

Source location

Response from the Home Office
Page 2 · response
Published 14 November 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

Monitor Border Force policies, explore improvements to operational responses, and support frontline staff to identify and respond to relevant items.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Similarly, Border Force has introduced guidance for its officers (operating within its existing legal provisions). This guidance provides instructions on the action they can take if they are in receipt of information, in any form or manner, that leads to a detection of goods at the border containing an item that may be intended to assist with suicide. This of course relies on Border Force working closely with police forces and other relevant agencies to safeguard vulnerable individuals to the full extent possible. This work is complex, and Border Force will continue to monitor its policies, exploring opportunities to improve its ability to take action. Where possible, Border Force will also continue to ensure that frontline staff who may encounter these items know what action to take, and are supported on a case-by-case basis when required.”

Source location

Response from the Home Office
Page 2 · response
Published 14 November 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

Work with the Home Office to convene departments and agencies and identify whether further regulation is appropriate and which body should review it.

Verbatim wording from the response

“On the issue of further regulation, the Department is working closely with the Home Office to convene Government departments and agencies to identify whether regulation is appropriate and would achieve the intended aim, and if so which body is best placed to take forward any reviews into this.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 2 · response
Published 14 November 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 work with organisations to reduce access to concerning methods.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The group has worked with businesses, including online suppliers and manufacturers of the substance, to reduce people’s ability to purchase it for non-legitimate purposes including suicide, and to raise awareness around safeguarding concerns with businesses where required. Government departments have also previously worked with manufacturers to reduce the lethality of the substance if ingested. This included work with online platforms to remove it from sale to individuals in its pure form. The group continues to work operationally with a range of organisations, and we are actively considering opportunities to work with the Border Force, using existing legal provisions, to help detect packages at the border which may be linked to vulnerable individuals and intended for suicide. The group’s actions are kept under review.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 2 · response
Published 14 November 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

Work with businesses, online suppliers and manufacturers to reduce non-legitimate purchasing and raise safeguarding awareness.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The group has worked with businesses, including online suppliers and manufacturers of the substance, to reduce people’s ability to purchase it for non-legitimate purposes including suicide, and to raise awareness around safeguarding concerns with businesses where required. Government departments have also previously worked with manufacturers to reduce the lethality of the substance if ingested. This included work with online platforms to remove it from sale to individuals in its pure form. The group continues to work operationally with a range of organisations, and we are actively considering opportunities to work with the Border Force, using existing legal provisions, to help detect packages at the border which may be linked to vulnerable individuals and intended for suicide. The group’s actions are kept under review.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 2 · response
Published 14 November 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

Monitor trends in the substance and other concerning methods using intelligence from multiple sources, including national statistics and local organisations.

Verbatim wording from the response

“You also raised the issue of monitoring. The Department monitors trends of this substance and other concerning methods as part of the working group. We have approaches in place to collect intelligence from a wide range of sources. We use Office for National Statistics data, and we are exploring how to make better use of national near real time suspected suicide surveillance data to make sure we can identify and respond to trends more quickly. Regional Leads within the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities also pass on information from local organisations to central teams for monitoring. Whilst we observed an increase in the number of suicides using this method a few years ago, we have not found concrete evidence that the numbers have increased in the last few years, and since the Concerning Methods Working Group was set up.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 2 · response
Published 14 November 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

Consider working with Border Force, using existing legal provisions, to detect potentially suicide-related packages sent to vulnerable individuals.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The group has worked with businesses, including online suppliers and manufacturers of the substance, to reduce people’s ability to purchase it for non-legitimate purposes including suicide, and to raise awareness around safeguarding concerns with businesses where required. Government departments have also previously worked with manufacturers to reduce the lethality of the substance if ingested. This included work with online platforms to remove it from sale to individuals in its pure form. The group continues to work operationally with a range of organisations, and we are actively considering opportunities to work with the Border Force, using existing legal provisions, to help detect packages at the border which may be linked to vulnerable individuals and intended for suicide. The group’s actions are kept under review.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 2 · response
Published 14 November 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

Operate the Concerning Methods Working Group to develop and deliver targeted actions reducing public access to emerging suicide methods.

Verbatim wording from the response

“On methods of suicide specifically, Government departments have taken steps to reduce access to, and awareness of, this substance. DHSC leads a Concerning Methods Working Group to raise awareness of and tackle access to substances such as this one. The working group involves representatives from the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, police, academics and the NHS, as well as Government departments including Department of Science, Innovation and Technology and the Home Office. The group develops and delivers rapid targeted actions to collectively reduce public access to emerging methods, including this one. Over 30 of the actions identified and implemented by the group have been to tackle this substance specifically.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 1 · response
Published 14 November 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

Work with online platforms to remove the substance from sale to individuals in its pure form.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The group has worked with businesses, including online suppliers and manufacturers of the substance, to reduce people’s ability to purchase it for non-legitimate purposes including suicide, and to raise awareness around safeguarding concerns with businesses where required. Government departments have also previously worked with manufacturers to reduce the lethality of the substance if ingested. This included work with online platforms to remove it from sale to individuals in its pure form. The group continues to work operationally with a range of organisations, and we are actively considering opportunities to work with the Border Force, using existing legal provisions, to help detect packages at the border which may be linked to vulnerable individuals and intended for suicide. The group’s actions are kept under review.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 2 · response
Published 14 November 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.7

  1. 1

    Obtain near-real-time national data on suspected-suicide deaths by gender, age group and method.

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

    Recruit 8,500 new mental health workers and provide special training 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 November 2024.
  3. 3

    Publish and implement the Suicide Prevention Strategy for England to coordinate cross-government suicide-prevention activity.

    Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 November 2024.
  4. 4

    Work with manufacturers to reduce the substance’s lethality if ingested.

    Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 November 2024.
  5. 5

    Engage NHS England and other organisations to identify ways to strengthen information and monitoring routes into and out of national teams.

    Stated by Department of Health and Social CareStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 14 November 2024.
  6. 6

    Work with the National Police Chiefs’ Council to bring together important local intelligence.

    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 November 2024.
  7. 7

    Explore better use of national near-real-time suspected-suicide surveillance data to identify and respond to trends more quickly.

    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 November 2024.

Recipient positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when they do not describe a specific action.1

  1. 1

    No concrete evidence has been found that suicides using this method increased in recent years, including since the working group was established.

    Stated by Department of Health and Social CareDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.

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

Obtain near-real-time national data on suspected-suicide deaths by gender, age group and method.

Verbatim wording from the response

“We are working alongside the National Police Chiefs’ Council to bring together important local intelligence. The government will obtain near to real-time data from across the country on deaths by suspected suicide by gender, age group and method. We will engage with NHS England and others to look for ways we can strengthen information and monitoring routes into and out of national teams to address the concerns raised in your report.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 2 · response
Published 14 November 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

Recruit 8,500 new mental health workers and provide special training to support people at risk from suicide.

Verbatim wording from the response

“More broadly, 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 the 8,500 new mental health workers we will be recruiting will be specially trained to support people at risk from suicide. Ultimately, it is our aim to help and support people as early as possible, so they don’t feel the need to turn to these types of substances to take their own life.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 2 · response
Published 14 November 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

Publish and implement the Suicide Prevention Strategy for England to coordinate cross-government suicide-prevention activity.

Verbatim wording from the response

“It may first help to clarify the Department’s role in suicide prevention. As lead for suicide prevention policy, the Department’s role is to coordinate activity across government and other agencies to ensure effective and cohesive action is being taken in the right areas. However, suicide prevention is a cross-Government issue and given its complexity, specific actions and mechanisms are led by a wide range of departments and organisations. To support this coordination, DHSC published the Suicide Prevention Strategy for England in 2023, setting out priority areas for action to support joint working. The five-year strategy set out actions aimed at reducing the rates of suicide in England, and work continues to deliver effective suicide prevention initiatives.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 1 · response
Published 14 November 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

Work with manufacturers to reduce the substance’s lethality if ingested.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The group has worked with businesses, including online suppliers and manufacturers of the substance, to reduce people’s ability to purchase it for non-legitimate purposes including suicide, and to raise awareness around safeguarding concerns with businesses where required. Government departments have also previously worked with manufacturers to reduce the lethality of the substance if ingested. This included work with online platforms to remove it from sale to individuals in its pure form. The group continues to work operationally with a range of organisations, and we are actively considering opportunities to work with the Border Force, using existing legal provisions, to help detect packages at the border which may be linked to vulnerable individuals and intended for suicide. The group’s actions are kept under review.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 2 · response
Published 14 November 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

Engage NHS England and other organisations to identify ways to strengthen information and monitoring routes into and out of national teams.

Verbatim wording from the response

“We are working alongside the National Police Chiefs’ Council to bring together important local intelligence. The government will obtain near to real-time data from across the country on deaths by suspected suicide by gender, age group and method. We will engage with NHS England and others to look for ways we can strengthen information and monitoring routes into and out of national teams to address the concerns raised in your report.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 2 · response
Published 14 November 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

Work with the National Police Chiefs’ Council to bring together important local intelligence.

Verbatim wording from the response

“We are working alongside the National Police Chiefs’ Council to bring together important local intelligence. The government will obtain near to real-time data from across the country on deaths by suspected suicide by gender, age group and method. We will engage with NHS England and others to look for ways we can strengthen information and monitoring routes into and out of national teams to address the concerns raised in your report.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 2 · response
Published 14 November 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

Explore better use of national near-real-time suspected-suicide surveillance data to identify and respond to trends more quickly.

Verbatim wording from the response

“You also raised the issue of monitoring. The Department monitors trends of this substance and other concerning methods as part of the working group. We have approaches in place to collect intelligence from a wide range of sources. We use Office for National Statistics data, and we are exploring how to make better use of national near real time suspected suicide surveillance data to make sure we can identify and respond to trends more quickly. Regional Leads within the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities also pass on information from local organisations to central teams for monitoring. Whilst we observed an increase in the number of suicides using this method a few years ago, we have not found concrete evidence that the numbers have increased in the last few years, and since the Concerning Methods Working Group was set up.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 2 · response
Published 14 November 2024

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

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

PFD Monitor interpretation

No concrete evidence has been found that suicides using this method increased in recent years, including since the working group was established.

Verbatim wording from the response

“You also raised the issue of monitoring. The Department monitors trends of this substance and other concerning methods as part of the working group. We have approaches in place to collect intelligence from a wide range of sources. We use Office for National Statistics data, and we are exploring how to make better use of national near real time suspected suicide surveillance data to make sure we can identify and respond to trends more quickly. Regional Leads within the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities also pass on information from local organisations to central teams for monitoring. Whilst we observed an increase in the number of suicides using this method a few years ago, we have not found concrete evidence that the numbers have increased in the last few years, and since the Concerning Methods Working Group was set up.”

Source location

Response from DHSC
Page 2 · response
Published 14 November 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