A recent true-crime documentary series ‘TikTok: Murder Gone Viral’ has sparked public debate about crimes linked to the social media platform. 

We at Legal Expert have seen an influx of recent enquiries associated with criminal offences connected with TikTok.

Often insidious in nature, the crimes range from harassment, stalking and theft to sexual grooming and sexual exploitation of children.

What’s more, the anonymity that social media can facilitate often makes the crimes very difficult to solve.

Legal Expert Solicitor, Jane Davies said: “Some of the offences recorded by police forces linked to TikTok are extremely disturbing and worrying. What’s more worrying, is that lack of evidence preventing further police action seems to be extremely common.”

To gain a true understanding of the prevalence of crime associated with TikTok, we set out to investigate the issue.

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How We Conducted Our Research Into TikTok Criminal Offences

We sent out Freedom of Information Requests to all 43 police forces in England and Wales. 

As there is no specific criminal offence pertaining to the platform, we asked how many offences/alleged offences have police forces logged where ‘TikTok’ was recorded as being an element in the offence in the last three years (Between April 6-April 5 2021-2024).

We also asked for the nature of offences and what police action was taken for alleged crimes in the past year (2023/24). 

Findings show a stark increase in the number of such offences year on year and revealed harassment, stalking and sexual offences to be among the most prevalent types of crimes linking to the platform.

What’s more, across police forces in England and Wales, ‘evidential difficulties’ are most commonly cited for preventing any further police action.

Legal Expert Solicitor, Jane Davies added: “It is important that victims know there will be consequences if they are subjected to abuse online or in person – in any capacity.

“Reaching out for legal advice can be a good way to get the ball rolling and make sure perpetrators are held to account.”

See the results for your local police force below:

Statistics on TikTok Criminal Offences By Police Forces in England and Wales

National Outlook – England and Wales

Police forces in England and Wales have probed more than 14,000 crimes linked to social media site, TikTok in the last three years with figures rising by 70% since 2021. 

Of the 43 police forces in England and Wales, 39 responded to the Freedom of Information Request within the deadline.

Six forces refused the request for reasons including, the data was not easily retrievable and/or could be accessed within the scope of the FOIAct – leaving 33 full responses.

Of those, the total results are as follows:

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 3,423

2022/23: 4,952

2023/24: 5,736

Total: 14,003

 

Cambridgeshire Constabulary

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 124

2022/23: 175

2023/24: 214

Total: 513

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Stalking and Harassment | 108
• Violence Without Injury | 19
• Other Theft | 14
• Other Sexual Offences | 13
• Violence With Injury | 13

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Evidential difficulties prevent further action; victim does not support police action | 55
• Evidential difficulties prevent further action; victim supports police action | 44
• Investigation complete – no suspect identified | 44
• Evidential difficulties victim based – suspect not identified | 18
• Charge/Summons | 12

Cheshire Constabulary

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 81

2022/23: 81

2023/24: 74

Total: 236

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Harassment | 27
• Malicious communications | 17
• Stalking | 11
• Blackmail| 4
• Assault without injury | 3

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Named Suspect Identified. Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 18
• Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 14
• Other Agency Takes Primacy | 13
• Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified | 11
• Evidential Difficulties Victim Based | 6
• Charge/Summons | 4

Cleveland Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 72

2022/23: 98

2023/24: 107

Total: 277

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Harassment | 32
• Malicious Communications | 12
• Stalking | 11
• Other Offences Against The State And Public Order | 10
• Obscene Publications, etc. and Protected Sexual Material | 10

Offences recorded in 2023/24 include

• Investigation complete no suspect identified | 36
• Victim declines/withdraws support – named suspect identified | 33
• Police – named suspect, victim supports but evidential difficulties | 8
• Victim declines/unable to support action to identify offender | 7 
• Charged | 6

Cumbria Constabulary

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 33

2022/23: 39

2023/24: 42

Total: 114

Increase of 27%

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Stalking and Harassment | 22
• Obsence Publications | 7
• Public Fear, Alarm or Distress | 6
• Other Sexual Offences | 4
• Other Offences Against The State Or Public Order| 2

Offences recorded in 2023/24 include

• Named Suspect identified: victim supports police action but evidential difficulties prevent further action | 8
• Named Suspect identified: evidential difficulties prevent further action; victim does not support (or has withdrawn support from) police action | 6
• Community resolution | 6
• Investigation Complete: No suspect identified | 5
• Evidential Difficulties Victim Based | 4

Derbyshire Constabulary

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 50

2022/23: 58

2023/24: 80

Total: 188 (60% Increase)

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Malicious Communications | 27
• Harassment | 21
• Stalking | 9
• Sexual Grooming| 7
• Obscene Publications | 3

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Investigation complete no suspect identified| 28
• Police – named suspect, victim supports but evidential difficulties| 15
• Victim declines/withdraws support – named suspect identified| 11
• Victim declines/unable to support action to identify offender | 5
• Community resolution | 3

Devon & Cornwall Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 1

2022/23: 34

2023/24: 143

Total: 178

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Stalking and Harassment | 103
• Other Sexual Offences | 9
• Other Theft | 8
• Violence Without Injury | 6
• Miscellaneous Crimes Against Society | 5

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Investigation Complete: No Suspect – Case Closed| 35
• Suspect Identified – Evidential Difficulties| 28
• Filed| 22
• Victim no Support | 13
• Under investigation | 7

Dorset Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 14

2022/23: 16

2023/24: 16

Total: 46

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Harassment | 6
• Malicious Communications | 5
• Obsence Publications | 3
• Blackmail | 1
• Stalking | 1

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Investigation complete no suspect identified| 3
• Other body/agency has investigation primacy| 3
• Police – named suspect, victim supports but evidential difficulties| 3
• Victim declines/unable to support action to identify offender | 2
• Victim declines/withdraws support – named suspect identified | 2

Durham Constabulary

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 111

2022/23: 143

2023/24: 120

Total: 374

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Harassment | 37
• Malicious Communications | 35
• Stalking | 26
• Other Offences (Against The State And Public Order) | 5
• Sexual Activity Involving A Child Under 16 | 3

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Named Suspect Identified – Evidential Difficulties: Victim Supportive | 39
• Investigation Complete – No Suspect Identified | 24
• Named Suspect Identified – Evidential Difficulties: Victim NOT Supportive| 22
• Named Suspect Identified – Evidential Difficulties: Victim NOT Supportive | 8
• Named Suspect NOT identified – Evidential Difficulties: Victim Declines or Unable to Support | 5

Dyfed-Powys Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 22

2022/23: 42

2023/24: 42

Total: 106

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Engage in sexual communication with a child | 19
• Sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety | 9
• Stalking | 2
• Pursue a course of conduct in breach of S1 (1) which amounts to stalking | 2
• Engage in sexual communication with a child | 1

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Victim declines/withdraws support – named suspect identified | 13
• Investigation complete no suspect identified | 7
• Cancelled/transferred | 6
• Victim declines/unable to support action to identify offender | 5
• Other body/agency has investigation primacy | 3

Essex Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 241

2022/23: 243

2023/24: 148

Total: 632

Offences recorded in 2023/24 include

• Causing or Inciting the sexual exploitation of a child (aged 13-17)
• Harassment – Stalking involving serious alarm/distress 
• Inciting a child family member to engage in sexual activity
• Kidnapping – False imprisonment
• Threats to kill.

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified | 32
• Named Suspect Identified. Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 28
• Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action| 28
• Evidential Difficulties Victim Based | 17
• Diversionary, educational or intervention activity undertaken | 15

Gloucestershire Constabulary

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 34

2022/23: 71

2023/24: 83

Total: 188 (Increase of 144% between 2021/22 and 2023/24)

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Harassment | 18
• Stalking | 14
• Malicious Communications | 13
• Obscene publications | 6
• Blackmail | 4

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Investigation complete: no suspect identified | 22
• Evidential difficulties: suspect identified; victim supports action | 20
• Evidential difficulties: suspect identified; victim does not support further action | 13
• Evidential difficulties: suspect not identified; victim does not support further action | 6
• Action undertaken by another body/agency | 3

Greater Manchester Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 334

2022/23: 509

2023/24: 644

Total: 1487 (Increase of 93% between 2021/22 and 2023/24)

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Stalking and Harassment | 543
• Public order offences | 29
• All other theft offences | 21
• Miscellaneous crimes against society | 18
• Other sexual offences | 13

Hertfordshire Constabulary

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 37

2022/23: 63

2023/24: 88

Total: 188 (Increase of 138%)

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Harassment | 27
• Malicious Communications | 27
• Stalking | 14
• Blackmail | 8
• Obscene publications | 5

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Named Suspect – Victim Unsupportive | 19
• Named Suspect – Evidential Difficulties | 17
• No Suspect Identified | 16
• Suspect not identified – Victim Unsupportive | 15
• Unfinalised Investigation | 15

Humberside Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

Total: 403

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Harassment | 49
• Malicious Communications | 24
• Stalking | 12
• State or Public Order | 3
• Assault With Injury | 2

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Police – named suspect, victim supports but evidential difficulties | 19
• Investigation complete no suspect identified | 13
• Police – named suspect, victim supports but evidential difficulties | 9
• Victim declines/withdraws support – named suspect identified | 7

Lancashire Constabulary

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 71

2022/23: 66

2023/24: 98

Total: 235 (Increase of 48% between 2022/23 and 2023/24)

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety, | 82
• Harassment – without violence | 37
• Take or to make or to distribute indecent photographs or pseudo- photographs, of children | 32
• Pursue course of conduct in breach of Sec (1) which amounts to stalking | 21
• Assault without Injury – Common assault and battery | 8

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified | 53
• Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 47
• Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties
  Prevent Further Action | 34
• No Further Action | 32
• Community Resolution | 12

Leicestershire Constabulary

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 107

2022/23: 155

2023/24: 164

Total: 426 (Increase of 53% between 2021/22 and 2023/24)

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Malicious Communications | 34
• Harassment without violence | 31
• Harassment (Put in fear of violence) | 11
• Stalking | 11
• Breach a non-molestation order | 6

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Investigation complete no suspect identified | 48
• Named suspect, victim supports but evidential difficulties | 29
• Offender Charged or Court Summons | 11
• Victim declines to support action (Named
  suspect) | 10
• Crime under investigation | 8

Lincolnshire Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 54

2022/23: 68

2023/24: 76

Total: 198 (Increase of 41%)

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Stalking and Harassment | 53
• Miscellaneous Crimes Against Society | 6
• Other Sexual Offences | 6
• Violence Without Injury | 5
• Public Disorder | 3

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Investigation complete no suspect identified | 29
• Police – named suspect, victim supports but evidential difficulties | 22
• Victim declines/withdraws support – named suspect identified | 10
• Unresolved | 8
• Victim declines/unable to support action to identify offender | 3

Merseyside Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 101

2022/23: 116

2023/24: 139

Total: 356 (Increase of 38% between 2021/22 and 2023/24)

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Stalking and Harassment | 117
• Other sexual offences | 7
• Miscellaneous crimes against society | 6
• Public order | 4
• Violence without injury | 2

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Investigation Complete No Suspect Identified | 46
• Victim Declines/Withdraws Support – Named Suspect Identified | 28
• Police – Named Suspect, Victim Supports But Evidential Difficulties | 24
• Victim Declines/Unable to Support Action To Identify Offender | 19
• Charged | 3

Norfolk Constabulary

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 135

2022/23: 139

2023/24: 121

Total: 395

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Harassment – without violence (course of conduct) | 37
• Sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety | 15
• Take or to make or to distribute indecent photographs or pseudo- photographs, of children| 9
• Stalking – Pursue course of conduct in breach of Sec 1 (1) which amounts to stalking | 7
• Blackmail (Indictable)| 6

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action: Victim Does Not Support (Or Has Withdrawn Support From) Police Action | 35
• Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 28
• Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified| 21
• Under Investigation | 7
• Community Resolution | 6

North Wales Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 26

2022/23: 44

2023/24: 34

Total: 356 (Increase of 69% between 2021/22 and 2022/23)

North Yorkshire Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 45

2022/23: 85

2023/24: 99

Total: 229 (Increase of 120% between 2021/22 and 2023/24)

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Violence against the person | 59
• Theft: all other theft | 17
• Miscellaneous crimes against society | 10
• Fraud | 6
• Public order offences | 3

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Evidential difficulties prevent further action; victim does not support police action | 23
• Investigation complete ‐ no suspect identified | 17
• Evidential difficulties prevent further action; victim supports police action| 8
• Evidential difficulties victim based – suspect not identified | 7
• Charged/Summonsed | 3

Northamptonshire Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 65

2022/23: 81

2023/24: 106

Total: 252 (Increase of 63% between 2021/22 and 2023/24)

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Violence without injury | 80
• Miscellaneous crimes against society | 8
• All other theft offences | 6
• Violence with injury | 4
• Public disorder | 3

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Victim declines/withdraws support – named suspect identified | 33
• Investigation complete no suspect identified | 24
• Police – named suspect, victim supports but evidential difficulties| 19
• Victim declines/unable to support action to identify offender | 10
• Other body/agency has investigation primacy | 5

Northumbria Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 300

2022/23: 527

2023/24: 610

Total: 1437 (Increase of 103% between 2021/22 and 2023/24)

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Harassment | 465
• Miscellaneous crimes| 65
• Public disorder| 18
• Other violence | 8
• Criminal damage – other | 7

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Investigation Complete – No Suspect Identified | 193
• Victim Does Not Support Police Action | 167
• Evidential Difficulties| 126
• Ongoing | 41
• Charge/Summons | 23

Nottinghamshire Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 79

2022/23: 120

2023/24: 176

Total: 375 (Increase of 123% between 2021/22 and 2023/24)

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Stalking and harassment
• Miscellaneous crimes against society
• Public disorder
• Violence without injury
• All other theft offences

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Investigation complete no suspect identified | 65
• Victim declines/withdraws support – named suspect identified | 40
• Police – named suspect, victim supports but evidential difficulties | 30
• Unresolved | 9
• Charged | 5

South Yorkshire Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 111

2022/23: 185

2023/24: 199

Total: 495 (Increase of 79% between 2021/22 and 2023/24)

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Stalking and Harassment | 147
• Miscellaneous crimes against society| 19
• Other sexual offences| 11
• Public fear, alarm or distress | 10
• Other theft | 3

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified | 80
• Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 65
• Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further | 22
• Further investigation that could provide sufficient evidence to support formal action is not in public interest | 12
• Evidential Difficulties Victim Based | 11

Staffordshire Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

Total: 295

Suffolk Constabulary

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 68

2022/23: 84

2023/24: 80

Total: 232

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Harassment – without violence (course of conduct)| 28
• Sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety| 21
• Blackmail (Indictable) | 6
• Take or to make or to distribute indecent photographs or pseudo- photographs, of children | 6
• Assault without Injury – Common assault and battery | 4

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified | 28
• Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 18
• Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 15
• Other body/agency has investigation primacy| 6
• Evidential Difficulties Victim Based | 5

Sussex Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 58

2022/23: 99

2023/24: 120

Total: 277

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Stalking and Harassment| 95
• Miscellaneous Crimes Against Society | 8
• Other Sexual Offences | 4
• Other Theft | 4
• Public Order | 4

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Investigation complete no suspect identified | 49
• Named suspect identified – victim does not support | 19
• Evidential difficulties – named suspect identified | 17
• Diversionary, educational or intervention activity | 4
• Community Resolution | 3

Warwickshire Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 48

2022/23: 101

2023/24: 105

Total: 254

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Violence Against The Person | 67
• Sexual Offences | 13
• Miscellaneous Crimes Against Society | 11
• Theft | 7
• Public Order Offences | 4

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 33
• Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified | 20
• Evidential Difficulties Victim Based | 15
• Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 15
• Filed or under investigation | 10

West Mercia Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 224

2022/23: 308

2023/24: 233

Total: 765 (Increase of 38% between 2021/22 and 2022/23)

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Violence Against The Person | 181
• Sexual Offences | 19
• Theft | 11
• Public Order Offences | 9
• Miscellaneous Crimes Against Society | 7

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Named Suspect Identified: Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 65
• Named Suspect Identified: Victim Supports Police Action But Evidential Difficulties Prevent Further Action | 61
• Investigation Complete; No Suspect Identified | 61
• Ongoing Investigation | 15
• Evidential Difficulties Victim Based | 11

West Yorkshire Police

Number of offences where TikTok has been recorded

2021/22: 548

2022/23: 873

2023/24: 795

Total: 1437 (Increase of 59% between 2021/22 and 2022/23)

Most common nature of offences 2023/24 

• Harassment | 465
• Miscellaneous crimes| 65
• Public disorder| 18
• Other violence | 8
• Criminal damage – other | 7

Most common police outcome type 2023/24 | No. of offences

• Investigation complete: No suspect ID | 687
• Evidential difficulties: Suspect ID | 625
• Evidential difficulties: Suspect ID (Victim based) | 553
• Ongoing Investigation | 130
• Further investigation not in public interest | 45

Unpaid tax collection practices often include charging households the full yearly council tax bill in a single payment, appointing bailiffs to collect debts, and, in extremely rare cases, imprisoning individuals for up to three months.

StepChange debt charity has voiced concerns about outdated and harmful debt collection practices used by local authorities.

The charity highlights that the most financially vulnerable are often those who struggle to keep up with bills. It has called for councils and the government to adopt a less punitive approach to collecting council tax debt and offer more support to those in financial need. 

Therefore Legal Expert wanted to find out where in the UK families are struggling to pay council tax and offer a helping hand to those in need of legal advice and help.

How We Conducted Our Research Into Uncollected Council Tax

Figures released by the Department for Levelling UP, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) revealed that outstanding council tax arrears had surged to £6bn as of 31st March 2024.

These figures marked a significant 9% year-on-year increase and a staggering 71% rise since pre-pandemic levels. In the 2019 to 2020 period, total outstanding arrears were £3.5bn. 

It follows the average council tax increase of £106, which leads to an annual cost of £2,171 for homes in England.

Legal Expert began the campaign by sending Freedom of Information requests to all Councils within the UK. The request included a question about the number of arrears between 2019 and 2024 and the financial value of the uncollected council tax. Legal Expert also submitted questions pertaining to the amount of council tax arrears that were subsequently written off.

Statistics On Uncollected Council Tax In The UK – 2019 to 2024

Chorley Borough Council Uncollected Council Tax

Figures obtained via freedom of information revealed that almost £5m in council tax has been uncollected in the last three years alone. 

Before the pandemic, the amount of uncollected tax owed to the council by Chorley residents was £500,000 in the 2019-20 financial year. 

Council tax arrears have since surged with debts increasing year on year. 

The 2021-22 accounts in arrears reached a value of over £1m owed to the council, and again, in the 2022-23 financial year, almost £1.5m in tax was uncollected. 

Finally, Legal Expert found that in the latest financial year ending in March, Chorley Borough Council logged £2.3m in uncollected tax, bringing the total owed to £4.8m in just three years. 

North Devon Council Uncollected Council Tax

Figures obtained via freedom of information requests revealed that over £5m in council tax has been uncollected in the last five years alone. 

North Devon Gazette reported that the Council approved a council tax rise of 2.99%, the most district councils can charge without a referendum, and a hike in other fees to balance the budget for 2024/25.

It means Band D properties will pay £210.39 for North Devon’s element of the council tax, plus parish council charges and those set by the police (a 4.95% rise) fire service and Devon County Council.

The Council managed to close a £1m budget gap without cutting services but has recognised they would have to find ways of increasing income by 2026/27 as the budget shortfall is likely to be in the region of £3 million. 

Households in North Devon Council owed one million pounds in council tax before and during the worst of the pandemic.

However, Legal Expert found the amount owed to the council has increased dramatically in the last two years, with almost four million pounds outstanding.

West Berkshire Council Uncollected Council Tax

West Berkshire Council has logged an uncollected amount of over £45m in council tax since 2019. 

Legal Expert has conducted an investigation into uncollected council tax in West Berkshire Council.

Figures obtained via Freedom of Information from West Berkshire Council discovered that residents owe the local authority over £45m in tax.

In February, it was revealed that West Berkshire was operating on depleted reserves, which were down to around £4m-£3m below its stated comfort level of £7m.

A 4.99% council tax increase is now helping to fund the overall budget of £174m as a result. Legal Expert’s investigation found that West Berkshire Council has failed to collect over £22m in taxes during the last two years, and £12.3m was due at the end of March for the previous financial year.

The council has issued nearly four thousand summonses in the last year, and West Berkshire is ramping up its attempts to collect unpaid council tax.

This year, West Berkshire Council passed 1700 cases to enforcement agents and issued 341 attachments to earnings orders and 799 attachments to benefits orders.

Unpaid council tax has increased significantly since the end of the pandemic, and the rising costs of the last few years seem to have impacted council tax payments.

In February, it was revealed that West Berkshire was operating on depleted reserves, which were down to around £4m-£3m below its proclaimed comfort level of £7m.

A 4.99% council tax increase is funding the overall budget of £174m as a result.

Legal Experts’ investigation found that West Berkshire Council has not collected over £22m in taxes during the last two years, and £12.3m was due at the end of March for the previous financial year. 

The council has issued nearly four thousand summonses in the last year, and West Berkshire is ramping up its attempts to collect unpaid council tax. 

This year, West Berkshire Council passed 1700 cases to enforcement agents and issued 341 attachments to earnings orders and 799 attachments to benefits orders.

This could mean that bailiffs are taking funds directly from people’s wages and benefits in order to recoup some of the debt. 

East Suffolk Council Uncollected Council Tax

East Suffolk Council has failed to collect over £9m in council tax since 2019, and the NR32 postal area is feeling the brunt of the issue the most.

Figures obtained via a Freedom of Information request from East Suffolk Council discovered that residents owe the local authority over £9m in tax.

 

Legal Expert’s investigation found that East Suffolk has not collected over £5m in taxes during the last two years, and £2.8m was due at the end of March for the previous financial year. 

In the last five years, the council has written off 1903 accounts for tax debt. 

The NR32 region, which includes Lowestoft, Oulton Broad, Corton, Blundeston, Somerleyton, Herringfleet, Camps Heath, Ashby Dell, and Ashby, is the most troubled area in East Suffolk year after year data shows.

The region racked up 2205 cases of debt to the council in 2024, and figures have shown this to be a consistent problem in the area.

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council Unpaid Council Tax

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has logged over £15m in uncollected tax since 2019 and wrote off a total of £2.2 in the last five years alone. 

The BBC reported that in March, a rebellion failed to stop the council from approving budget plans for the next financial year, which include an overall 4.99% local tax rise.

Thirty-seven Redcar and Cleveland council members voted for the plans, with 16 Conservatives and some independents voting against. 

The minority Labour-led council at the time revealed it was facing a £700,000 budget shortfall. 

Legal Expert launched an investigation into uncollected council tax in Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. 

The council has written off £1m of unpaid tax in the last two financial years. 

Figures obtained via freedom of information revealed that residents were in arrears of over £15m in the last three years alone.

Statistics from the 2022-23 financial year showed the local authority was owed over £1.5 million in arrears from 1,690 accounts.

Legal Expert’s Investigation reveals that arrears almost reached £7m at the end of the latest financial year, in March. 

 

As families prepare to jet off for summer holidays, some will have already been and returned. 

It’s no secret that holidays during schools are often considerably cheaper, leading some parents to take their children out of school with an ‘unauthorised absence.’ 

However, doing so will likely result in parents being hit with a hefty fine or even further action if it’s left unpaid. 

What’s more, this August 2024, will see the first rise in unauthorised pupil absence fines since 2012. 

Parents who flout the rules of term-time holidays could be hit with hefty fines of up to £160 if they take their child out of school for a term-time holiday from this summer.

As it stands, unauthorised absences can see parents issued with a £60 fine which increases to £120 per child if it is not paid within 21 days with a potential for prosecution for non-payment of 28 days. 

Whether or not a fine is issued or an alternative course of action is action is often dependent on the school and council area. 

How Legal Expert Can Help

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How We Conducted Our Research Into Unauthorised Pupil Absence Fines

Following a number of inquiries from parents seeking clarification of the law and rules around unauthorised absences in their district, Legal Expert set out to investigate which councils are issuing fines to parents. 

We sent out Freedom of Information Requests to every Metropolitan and Unitary Council in England asking for the number of the fines for unauthorised pupil absences that have been issued in the last three years as well as the total sum.

We also asked, for the number of fines that were not paid within 21 days. Furthermore, LegalExpert enquired about any further action taken by the council following an unpaid fine.

Further action for unpaid fines could include; an Education Supervision Order, Community Order or even a Jail Order. 

In some instances, council’s referred us to the Government’s Parental Responsibility Measures Report for their latest statistics on fines issued. Where this was the case, we analysed the data accordingly. Any data collated from the these statistics are marked ‘Gov’.

Out of all 98 Metropolitan and Unitary Councils, 76% responded within the deadline.

See your local council’s statistics below:

Statistics On Unauthorised Pupil Absence Fines By Area

Jump to:

• Greater Manchester
• Merseyside
• North East
• South Yorkshire
• West Yorkshire
• Unitary Authorities

National Statistics

Metropolitan Councils

Barnsley Borough Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 1780 | £84,190.00

2022/23: 3126 | £141,300.05

2023/24: 3996 | £159.060.00

Increase of 124% between 2021/22 and 2023/24.

Total: 8902 | £225,490.05

No. not paid in 21 days: 1,822 (46%)

Further action: 1,060

Greater Manchester

 

Bury Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 826 | £42,360

2022/23: 1,866 | £89,520

2023/ June 24: 1,865 | £76,380

Increase of 126% between 2021/22 and 2023/24.

Total: 4557| £208,260

No. not paid in 21 days: 1,682 (37%)

Further action: 867

Rochdale Borough Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 574 | £8,280

2022/23: 3500 | £63,900

2023/24: 5250 | £229,860

Increase of 815% between 2021/22 and 2023/24.

Total: 9324| £302,040

No. not paid in 21 days: 902 (10%)

Further action: 407

Tameside Borough Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 1469 | £74,220

2022/23: 3670 | £188,940

2023/24: 3825 | £204,300

Increase of 175% between 2021/22 and 2023/24.

Total: 8964 | £467,460

No. not paid in 21 days: 418 (5%)

Further action: 0

Bolton Borough Council

2021/22: 3058 | £183,480

2022/23: 6657 | £399,420

2023/24: 7399 | £443,940

Increase of 141% between 2021/22 and 2023/24.

Total: 17114 | £1,026,840

No. not paid in 21 days: 587

Further action: 1784 referred for prosecution

Bury Borough Council

Penalty Notices Issued 

2021/22: 826

2022/23: 1,866

Prosecutions following non-payment of a penalty notice 

2021/22: 26

2022/23: 72

Manchester City Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 2362 | £93,198

2022/23: 9067| £484,707

2023/24: 9272 | £466,707

Increase of 293% between 2021/22 and 2023/24

Total: 20701 | £1,044,612

No. not paid in 21 days: 4562 (22%)

Further action: 2161 sent for prosecution

Oldham Borough Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 3348 | £87,005

2022/23: 4993| £237,005

2023/24: 6621 | £287,086

Increase of 98% between 2021/22 and 2023/24

Total: 14962 | £611,096

Salford City Council 

Penalty Notices Issued

2021/22: 2,225

2022/23: 3,403

Increase of 53%

Prosecutions following non-payment of a penalty notice

2021/22: 55

2022/23: 167

Stockport

2021/22: 807 | £48,420

2022/23: 1,713 | £102,780

2023/ June 24: 1,368| £82,080

Increase of 112% between 2021/22 and 2022/23.

Total: 3,888 | £233,280

No. not paid in 21 days: 565

Further Action (Prosecution in Magistrates Court under section 444(1) Education Act): 592

Trafford

Penalty Notices Issued

2021/22: 663

2022/23: 1,041

Increase 57%

Prosecutions following non-payment of a penalty notice

2021/22: 2

2022/23: 0

Wigan

2021/22: 191 | £7,080

2022/23: 653| £31,440

2023/ June 24: 560| £28,140

Increase of 242% between 2021/22 and 2022/23.

Total: 1,404 | £60,660

No. not paid in 21 days: 351

Further Action (Prosecution in Magistrates Court under section 444(1) Education Act): 108

Merseyside

Liverpool City Council

Penalty Notices Issued 

2021/22: 1,714

2022/23: 4,271

Prosecutions following non-payment of a penalty notice 

2021/22: 94

2022/23: 363

Sefton Borough Council

Penalty Notices Issued 

2021/22: 1,878

2022/23: 1,692

Prosecutions following non-payment of a penalty notice 

2021/22: 168

2022/23: 98

Knowsley Borough Council

Penalty Notices Issued 

2021/22: 174

2022/23: 464

Prosecutions following non-payment of a penalty notice 

2021/22: 20

2022/23: 72

St. Helen’s Borough Council

Penalty Notices Issued 

2021/22: 285

2022/23: 308

Increase of 8%

Prosecutions following non-payment of a penalty notice 

2021/22: 53

2022/23: 38

Wirral Borough Council

Penalty Notices Issued 

2021/22: 1,639

2022/23: 2,791

Increase of 70%

Prosecutions following non-payment of a penalty notice 

2021/22: 116

2022/23: 409

North East Councils

Durham County Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 1,023 | £10,860

2022/23: 1,517| £70,170

2023/24: 1,701| £91,118

Increase of 739% between 2021/22 and 2023/24

Total: 4,241 | £172,148

No. not paid in 21 days: 848 (20%)

Further action: 696 sent for prosecution

Newcastle Upon Tyne City Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 26 | £1,560

2022/23: 127| £7,620

2023/24: 254| £15,240

Increase of 877% between 2021/22 and 2023/24

Total: 407 | £24,420

No. not paid in 21 days: 344 (85%)

Further action: 144 sent for prosecution

Northumberland County Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 200 | £8,280

2022/23: 933| £42,120

2023/24: 1,222| £49,800

Increase of 511% between 2021/22 and 2023/24

Total: 2355 | £100,200

No. not paid in 21 days: 140 (6%)

Further action: 189 sent for prosecution

South Tyneside Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 1,286 | £55,560

2022/23: 1,904 | £88,620

2023/24: 1,822 | £71,080

Increase of 48% between 2021/22 and 2022/23

Total: 5012 | £215,260

No. not paid in 21 days: 173

Further action: 914 Proceeded to court

Darlington Borough Council

Penalty Notices Issued 

2021/22: 752

2022/23: 932

Increase of 24%

Prosecutions following non-payment of a penalty notice 

2021/22: 84

2022/23: 82

Gateshead Borough Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 186 | £960

2022/23: 325 | £10,680

2023/24: 323| £19,800

Increase of 74% between 2021/22 and 2022/23

Total: 834 | £31,440

Further action: 103 Prosecution following no payment

Hartlepool Borough Council

Penalty Notices Issued 

2021/22: 128

2022/23: 185

Increase of 45%

Prosecutions following non-payment of a penalty notice 

2021/22: 30

2022/23: 37

Middlesborough Borough Council

Penalty Notices Issued 

2021/22: 904

2022/23: 2,026

Increase of 124%

Prosecutions following non-payment of a penalty notice 

2021/22: 154

2022/23: 369

North Tyneside Borough Council

Penalty Notices Issued 

2021/22: 575

2022/23: 731

Increase of 27%

Prosecutions following non-payment of a penalty notice 

2021/22: 21

2022/23: 17

Stockton-On-Tees Borough Council

Penalty Notices Issued 

2021/22: 1,490

2022/23: 2,293

Increase of 54%

Prosecutions following non-payment of a penalty notice 

2021/22: 55

2022/23: 24

Sunderland City Council

Penalty Notices Issued 

2021/22: 339

2022/23: 274

Prosecutions following non-payment of a penalty notice 

2021/22: 89

2022/23: 52

South Yorkshire Councils

Barnsley Borough Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 1780 | £84,190.00

2022/23: 3126 | £141,300.05

2023/24: 3996 | £159.060.00

Increase of 124% between 2021/22 and 2023/24.

Total: 8902 | £225,490.05

No. not paid in 21 days: 1,822 (46%)

Further action: 1,060

Doncaster Borough Council

Penalty Notices Issued 

2021/22: 2,637

2022/23: 6,779

Increase of 157%

Prosecutions following non-payment of a penalty notice 

2021/22: 180

2022/23: 187

Rotherham Borough Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 803 | £23,766

2022/23: 2,684 | £111,733

2023/24: 2,803 | £180,934

Increase of 249% between 2021/22 and 2023/24

Total: 6290 | £316,433

No. not paid in 21 days: 947 (15%)

Further action: 149 Prosecutions following non-payment of penalty fines

Sheffield City Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 3387 | £186,480

2022/23: 4248 | £235,860

2023/24: 2840 | £154,860

Increase of 25% between 2021/22 and 2022/23

Total: 10475 | £577,200

No. not paid in 21 days: 1210 (12%)

Further action: 0

West Yorkshire Councils

Bradford City Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 3425 | £205,500

2022/23: 11960 | £368,261

2023/24: 12634 | £341,146

Increase of 269% between 2021/22 and 2023/24.

Total: 28019 | £914,907

No. not paid in 21 days: 5204 (19%)

Further action: 0

Calderdale Borough Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 1672 | £51,300

2022/23: 2457 | £143,720

2023/24: 2529 | £102,850

Increase of 51% between 2021/22 and 2023/24

Total: 6658 | £297,870

No. not paid in 21 days: 350

Further Action: 585 Fined

Coventry City Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 2,303 | £97,335

2022/23: 4,092 | £184,467

2023/24: 3,753 | £174,530

Increase of 78% between 2021/22 and 2022/23

Total: 10,148 | £456,332

No. not paid in 21 days: 559 (19%)

Kirklees Borough Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 1500 | £84,920

2022/23: 4378 | £253,200

2023/24: 5805| £328,201

Increase of 287% between 2021/22 and 2022/23

Total: 11683 | £666,321

No. not paid in 21 days: 1779 (15%)

Further action: 532 Court Fines

Leeds City Council

Penalty Notices Issued 

2021/22: 5,192

2022/23: 7,046

Increase of 36%

Prosecutions following non-payment of a penalty notice 

2021/22: 230

2022/23: 188

Wakefield City Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 1776 | £106,500

2022/23: 5661 | £339,660

2023/24: 7512 | £450,720

Increase of 323% between 2021/22 and 2023/24

Total: 14949 | £896,880

No. not paid in 21 days: 3861 (26%)

Further action: 0

York (City of Council)

Penalty Notices Issued 

2021/22: 381

2022/23: 1,126

Prosecutions following non-payment of a penalty notice 

2021/22: 2

2022/23: 5

Increase of 196% in number of fines issued.

Sandwell Borough Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 956 | £50,280

2022/23: 2718 | £148,500

2023/24: 3538 | £164,699

Increase of 270% between 2021/22 and 2023/24

Total: 7212 | £363,479

No. not paid in 21 days: 982 (14%)

Further action: 0

Wolverhampton (City of) Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 1102 | £26,414.00

2022/23: 2521 | £101,863.00

2023/24: 2354 | £145,980

Increase of 114% between 2021/22 and 2023/24

Total: 5977 | £274,257.00

No. not paid in 21 days: 295 (5%)

Further action: 295 Prosecutions following non-payment of penalty fines

Walsall Borough Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 813 | £48,780.00

2022/23: 1,740 | £104,400.00

2023/24: 4,088 | £245,280.00

Increase of 403% between 2021/22 and 2023/24

Total: 6641 | £398,460.00

No. not paid in 21 days: 636 (10%)

Further action: 137 Prosecutions following non-payment of penalty fines 

Unitary Authorities

Blackpool Council

Blackpool Council has issued £486K worth of fines to parents for unauthorised pupil absences since 2021 with figures rising year on year.

Our investigation revealed a 56% rise in the number of fines issued to Blackpool parents in the last three years with £190,680 worth of fines handed out in a 12-month-period.

Between 2021/22, 960 penalty notices were issued to parents for unauthorised absences, rising to 1,589 the following year.

This year so far, 1,498 fines have been issued totalling £179,760 – LegalExpert has found. 

Parents who don’t pay the fine in time, can be subjected to further action which could include an Education Supervision Order, Community Order or even a Jail Order. 

In Blackpool, there have been 540 non-paid fines that resulted in further action in the last three years. 

Between 2021/22, 107 unpaid penalties had further consequences, rising to 245 the following year. So far this academic year, 188 non-paid fines have resulted in further action.

Bath and North East Somerset Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 551 | £27,360

2022/23: 719 | £39,720

2023/24: 974 | £46,020

Increase of 77% between 2021/22 and 2023/24.

Total: 2244 | £113,100

No. not paid in 21 days: 392 (17%)

Further action: 173 Not paid and preparation for legal action via the courts

Bedford Borough Council

No. of Fines Issued 

2021/22: 438 (Gov.)

2022/23: 432 (Gov.)

Value of Fines Issued

2021/22: £14,880

2022/23: £27,300

2023/24: £54,060

Total Amount: £96,240

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 1737 | £37,785

2022/23: 2782 | £126,520

2023/24: 2583 | £153,709

Increase of 49% between 2021/22 and 2023/24.

Total: 7102 | £318,014

No. not paid in 21 days: 710 (10%)

Further action: 445

Brighton and Hove City Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 755 | £58,320

2022/23: 1,948 | £143,280

2023/24: 2,522 | £185,820

Increase of 234% between 2021/22 and 2023/24.

Total: 5225 | £387,420

No. not paid in 21 days: 1233 (24%)

Further action: 101

Buckinghamshire Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 797 | £47,820

2022/23: 1,412 | £84,720

2023/24: 2,126 | £127,560

Increase of 167% between 2021/22 and 2023/24.

Total: 4335 | £260,100

No. not paid in 21 days: 856 (20%)

Further action: 31

Cheshire East Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 1167 | £48,660

2022/23: 1366 | £50,600

2023/24: 1945 | £87,960

Increase of 81% between 2021/22 and 2023/24.

Total: 4478 | £187,220

No. not paid in 21 days: 1384 (31%)

Further action: 0

Dorset Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 146 | £5,040.00

2022/23: 1380 | £44,220.00

2023/24: 2177 | £93,180.00

Increase of 1391% between 2021/22 and 2023/24

Total: 3703 | £142,440.00

No. not paid in 21 days: 30

Further action: 0

East Riding Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 1623 | £77,940

2022/23: 3496 | £82,560

2023/24: 2506 | £101,880

Increase of 115% between 2021/22 and 2022/23

Total: 7625 | £262,380

No. not paid in 21 days: 1174 (15%)

Further action: 30 Magistraties Court, Fine

Halton Borough Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 751 | £12,180

2022/23: 924 | £35,040

2023/24: 432 | £33,480

Increase of 23% between 2021/22 and 2022/23

Total: 2107 | £80,700

No. not paid in 21 days: 906 (43%)

Further action: 534 (Sent to EWS [Education Welfare System] for Prosecution)

Hull City Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 1,572 | £52,470

2022/23: 2,424| £87,660

2023/24: 2,542 | £100,800

Increase of 62% between 2021/22 and 2023/24

Total: 6,538 | £240,930

No. not paid in 21 days: 2444 (37%)

Further Action: 1413

Leicester City Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 1228 | £65,700.00

2022/23: 6052| £355,290.00

2023/24: 6256 | £365,880.00

Increase of 409% between 2021/22 and 2023/24

Total: 13536 | £786,870.00

No. not paid in 21 days: 1171 (9%)

Further Action: 0

Medway Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 1,740| £83,040

2022/23: 3419| £163,860

2023/24: 2563| £97,320

Increase of 96% between 2021/22 and 2022/23

Total: 7,722| £344,220

No. not paid in 21 days: 1165 (15%)

Further Action: 294 cases referred to court

Peterborough City Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 1,483 | £71,340

2022/23: 3,545| £179,480

2023/24: 4,220 | £209,880

Increase of 185% between 2021/22 and 2023/24

Total: 9,248 | £460,700

No. not paid in 21 days: 289

Further Action: 791

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 1,237 | £74,220

2022/23: 2,096| £125,760

2023/24: 1,583 | £94,980

Increase of 69% between 2021/22 and 2022/23

Total: 4916 | £294,960

No. not paid in 21 days: 879 (18%)

Further Action: 394 Prosecuted

Reading Borough Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 402 | £21,480

2022/23: 739 | £39,380

2023/24: 607 | £30,840

Increase of 84% between 2021/22 and 2022/23.

Total: 1749| £91,700

No. not paid in 21 days: 332 (19%)

Further Action: 15 Prosecutions

Redcar and Cleveland Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 442 | £12,940.90

2022/23: 1097 | £46,485.00

2023/24: 1294 | £65,584.00

Increase of 407% between 2021/22 and 2023/24.

Total: 2833 | £125,009.90

No. not paid in 21 days: 20

Further Action: 167 Fined and 28 Conditional Discharge

Somerset Council

No. of Fines Issued

2021/22: 879

2022/23: 1799

Increase of 105%

Prosecutions following non-payment of a penalty notice 

2021/22: 59

2022/23: 64

Slough Borough Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 1407 | £60,780

2022/23: 1753 | £90,000

2023/24: 1641 | £86,000

Increase of 48% between 2021/22 and 2022/23

Total: 4801 | £236,780

No. not paid in 21 days: 381+ (*Data for 2021/22 not available due to ‘change in recording and reporting functions)

Further Action: 1

Thurrock Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 1008 | £120,960

2022/23: 1751 | £210,120

2023/24: 1496 | £179,520

Increase of 48% between 2021/22 and 2023/24.

Total: 4255 | £510,600

No. not paid in 21 days: 410 (10%)

Further Action: Conditional Discharge (30), Prosecutions for non payment (84)

Torbay Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 234 | £7,200

2022/23: 584 | £28,440

2023/24: 756 | £31,380

Increase of 223% between 2021/22 and 2023/24.

Total: 1574 | £67,020

No. not paid in 21 days: 98 (6%)

Further Action: 218 Prosecutions for unpaid fines

West Northamptonshire Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 395 | £31,080

2022/23: 1492 | £120,780

2023/24: 1427 | £114,960

Increase of 261% between 2021/22 and 2023/24

Total: 3314 | £266,820

No. not paid in 21 days: 2252 (68%)

Wokingham Council

No. of Fines Issued | Amount

2021/22: 303 | £17,040

2022/23: 1172 | £64,440

2023/24: 1315 | £74,160

Increase of 334% between 2021/22 and 2023/24

Total: 2790 | £155,640

No. not paid in 21 days: 37

Further Action: 41

Around 4,000 house fires across the UK every year are caused by faulty electrics, according to the Home Office.

Appliances, wiring and overloaded sockets have the potential to destroy properties and cause serious damage.

Recently, JF Law (of which Legal Expert trades under) secured a six-figure settlement for a mum whose two children were killed in a devastating house fire in Cambridgeshire in December 2022. 

The mother, Jade Horton – shattered major bones in her body – including both her legs after leaping from a second-storey window to escape the blaze. 

Her two children, Isaac, aged 3 and Sienna, aged 7 did not survive. 

In March 2022, an inquest heard how a ‘perfect storm of bad luck’ effectively created a chimney in the home allowing the fire to spread rapidly from three-year-old, Isaac’s first-floor bedroom – up the staircase and into the bedroom of seven-year-old Sienna. 

Fire Investigation Officer from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, Peter Jones explained to the court how on the balance of probabilities, the fire started in the first floor bedroom, from an electronic device at the foot of Isaac’s bed thought to be a TV.

Through rigorous investigation, Head of Serious Injury and Multi Track at JF Law, Clare Morris has managed to finally secure a settlement for the grieving mum.

She said: “This is the most tragic case I’ve ever dealt with. I am deeply honoured to have been able to assist in this small way and to have helped Jade get the result she so deeply deserves.

“Nothing can replace what she has lost but I hope settling the claims brings some peace and comfort.”

Ms Morris, of JF Law, had noticed that at the 2022 inquest, fire investigator Mr Jones had mentioned that officers had found a screen frame in the debris at the seat of the fire. 

Following enquiries with the police, it was established that the screen frame and some components of the “electrical product” were held in evidence.

An engineer was then instructed to collect and inspect the remnants to establish whether it was indeed a television and if so, who the manufacturer was. 

After some initial resistance, the manufacturer of the television agreed to compensate Jade and negotiations resulted in a six-figure settlement. 

How Legal Expert Can Help You

Legal Expert has a team of specialist personal injury solicitors who are experienced in electrical fire claims. If you’d like free advice and support and to check if you can claim personal injury compensation, get in touch with us for free using the number at the top of this page, or send us a message via our live chat.

How We Conducted Our Research Into Electrical House Fires

The incident prompted Legal Expert to conduct an investigation into Electrical Fires across the UK. 

We sent Freedom of Information Requests to 50 Fire and Rescue Services nationwide, asking for the number of electrical fires in domestic properties in the last three years as well as, how many were caused by electrical products. 

Legal Expert also enquired as to the most common products to cause electrical fires in the home as well as the number of fatalities and injuries the fire service has recorded as a result of such fires in the last three years. 

See the results broken down by local Fire and Rescue Service below:

Statistics on Electrical House Fires In Every UK Area

Jump to:

• London
• North East
• North West
• Yorkshire
• East Midlands
• West Midlands
• South East
• East of England
• South West
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

London

London Fire Brigade

Number of electrical fires in the home

2021 – 2719

2022 – 2650

2023 – 2565

2024 – 1279

Total: 9213

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Faulty fuel supplies – Electricity | 3,729
2. Cooking – other cooking | 2,964
3. Fault in equipment or appliance | 2,663
4. Combustible articles too close to
   heat source (or fire) | 1,089
5. Overheating, unknown cause | 971

Fatalities and Injuries (From Electrical Fires Only) 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 25

Injuries: 1081

North East

Humberside Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 163

2022/23 – 143

20223/23 – 151

Total: 457

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Electricity supply – Wiring, cabling, plugs| 190
2. Cooker incl. oven | 101
3. Tumble Dryer| 57
4. Electricity supply – Apparatus – batteries, generators | 39
5. Other appliance or equipment | 35

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 0

Injuries: 74

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 297

2022/23 – 298

20223/23 – 304

Total: 899

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooker incl. oven| 391
2. Tumble Dryer| 54
3. Grill/Toaster| 46
4. Microwave| 41
5. Washing Machine| 34

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 1

Injuries: 12

North West

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 86

2022/23 – 86

20223/23 – 92

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Electricity supply – wiring, cabling plugs | 175
2. Electricity Supply – Apparatus – batteries, generators | 46
3. Other domestic style appliances – tumble dryer | 24
4. Other domestic style appliances – Fridge/Freezer | 14
5. Electric Lighting – Other Lights | 12

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 3

Serious Injuries: 1

Slight Injuries: 10

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 759

2022/23 – 903

20223/23 – 945

Total: 2607

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 5

Injuries: 769

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 502

2022/23 – 454

20223/23 – 444

Total: 1400

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

• Cooking appliance – Cooker incl. oven
• Electricity supply – Apparatus – batteries, generators
• Cooking appliance – Ring/hot place (separate appliance)
• Cooking appliance – Grill/Toaster
• Electricity supply – Wiring, cabling, plugs

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 5

Injuries:

• Victim went to hospital, injuries appear to be Serious | 16
• Victim went to hospital, injuries appear to be Slight | 23

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 516

2022/23 – 449

20223/23 – 445

Total: 1410

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused (Between 2021/24)

1. Cooking appliance – Cooker incl oven| 475
2. Electricity supply – Wiring, cabling, plugs | 273
3. Cooking appliance – Grill/toaster | 132
4. Cooking appliance – Ring/hot plate (separate appliance) | 130
5. Cooking appliance – Microwave oven | 69

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 4

Serious Injuries: 24

Slight Injuries: 98

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 295

2022/23 – 445

20223/23 – 440

Total: 1180

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooker incl. oven | 558
2. Wiring, cabling, plugs| 377
3. Microwave Oven| 137
4. Grill/Toaster| 96
5. Tumble Dryer| 82

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 4

Injury: 36

Yorkshire

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between 2021-2024)

2021/22 – 410

2022/23 – 350

20223/23 – 367

Total: 1,127

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused 

1. Cooker Inc. Oven | 450
2. Wiring, Cabling, Plugs | 293
3. Microwave Oven | 74
4. Ring or Hot Plate | 81
5. Grill/ Toaster| 48

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 4

Injuries (Serious/Slight): 171

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 124

2022/23 – 145

20223/23 – 116

Total: 385

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused 

1. Tumble Dryer| 59
2. Other Domestic Style Appliance| 34
3. Washing Machine| 31
4. Fridge/Freezer| 17
5. Other Heating Equipment | 9

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 1

Injuries (Hospital): 58

Injuries (First Aid): 41

East Midlands

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 99

2022/23 – 98

20223/23 – 119

Total: 316

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Wiring, cabling plugs | 222
2. Electrical Fault | 119
3. Apparatus – Batteries/Generators| 76
4. Tumble Dryer | 55
5. Fluorescent Lights | 18

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 6

Injuries: 16

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 119

2022/23 – 136

20223/23 – 140

Total: 395

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Wiring, cabling plugs | 143
2. Grill/Toaster | 44
3. Tumble Dryer| 39
4. Apparatus – Batteries/Generators | 37
5. Microwave Oven | 25

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 2

Injuries: 29

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 189

2022/23 – 166

20223/23 – 180

Total: 535

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooking appliance – Cooker inc. oven | 191
2. Electricity supply – Wiring, cabling, plus | 116
3. Cooking appliance – Ring/ hot plate (separate appliance)| 54
4. Other domestic style appliance – Tumble dryer | 46
5. Cooking appliance – Microwave oven | 45

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 2

Injuries: 129

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 142

2022/23 – 133

20223/23 – 139

Total: 414

Top Five Appliance Causes

• Extractor fan
• Dishwasher
• Refrigerator
• Tumble dryer
• Washing machine

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 0

Total Casualties: 23

West Midlands

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 109

2022/23 – 104

20223/23 – 105

Total: 318

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Tumble Dryer| 32
2. Apparatus, batteries, generators | 44
3. Washing machine| 18
4. Cooker | 7
5. Fridge/Freezer | 7

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 2

Injuries: Precautionary check recommended (10), First aid given at the scene (5), Victim went to hospitals injuries appeared to be slight (13)

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 119

2022/23 – 125

20223/23 – 138

Total: 382

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

• Cooking appliance-Cooker incl. oven
• Electricity supply-Wiring, cabling, plugs
• Cooking appliance-Grill/Toaster
• Cooking appliance-Microwave oven
• Electricity supply-Apparatus – batteries, generators

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 3

Slight Injuries: 0

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 295

2022/23 – 445

20223/23 – 440

Total: 1,180

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

• Cooker incl. oven | 558
• Wiring, Cabling and Plugs | 377
• Grill/Toaster | 135
• Microwave Oven | 67
• Tumble Dryer | 51

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 4

Injuries: 36

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 36

2022/23 – 54

20223/23 – 51

Total: 141

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Wiring, Cabling, Plugs| 27
2. Tumble Dryer| 17
3. Dishwasher| 4
4. Microwave| 4
5. Cooker| 3

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 0

Slight Injuries: 15

South East

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 321

2022/23 – 247

20223/23 – 316

Total: 884

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooker incl. oven | 293
2. Ring/hot plate (separate appliance) | 98
3. Microwave Oven | 66
4. Grill/Toaster | 49
5. Electric Lighting | 14

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 1

Serious Injuries: 5

Slight Injuries: 39

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 143

2022/23 – 128

20223/23 – 139

Total: 410

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

• Cooker incl. oven
• Fluorescent lights
• Extractor Fan
• Fridge/Freezer
• Tumble dryer

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 4

Injuries:

• Victim went to hospital, injuries appear to be Serious 0
• Victim went to hospital, injuries appear to be Slight 3
• First aid given at scene 12
• Precautionary check recommended

Kent Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 316

2022/23 – 363

20223/23 – 312

Total: 991

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooker incl. oven | 289
2. Wiring, cabling, plugs | 264
3. Tumble dryer | 98
4. Ring/hot plate (separate appliance) | 88
5. Grill/Toaster | 64

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 5 or fewer

Injuries: 109

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 305

2022/23 – 255

20223/23 – 276

Total: 836

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooker Inc. Oven | 294
2. Wiring, Cabling and Plugs | 308
3. Apparatus – Batteries/Generators | 102
4. Ring/Hot Plate | 72
5. Grill/ Toaster | 47

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 0

Slight Injuries: 149

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 43

2022/23 – 38

20223/23 – 45

Total: 126

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Faulty fuel supply – electricity | 65
2. Fault in equipment or appliance | 32
3. Overheating, unknown cause | 21
4. Faulty leads to equipment or appliance | 4
5. Negligent use of equipment or appliance (heat source) | 4

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 1

Slight Injuries: 5

East of England

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 183

2022/23 – 193

20223/23 – 209

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Wiring, cabling plugs | 254
2. Cooker incl. oven | 188
3. Electrical Fault | 172
4. Apparatus – batteries, generators| 104
5. Ring/hot plate (separate appliance) | 59

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 5

Injuries: 80

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between 2021-2024)

2021/22 – 357

2022/23 – 352

20223/23 – 347

Total: 1,056

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 246

2022/23 – 288

20223/23 – 319

Total: 853

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooker Incl. oven
2. Wiring/Cables/plugs
3. Electrical Fault
4. Ring or Hotplate
5. Microwave

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: Less than 5

Injured (incl. rescue with injury): 54

Rescued (rescue with injury): 38

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 123

2022/23 – 108

20223/23 – 90

Total: 321

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Wiring, Cabling, Plugs | 118
2. Washing Machine | 32
3. Cooker Incl. Oven| 27
4. Tumble Dryer | 26
5. Fridge/Freezer | 10

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 1

Injuries: 25

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 233

2022/23 – 202

20223/23 – 216

Total: 651

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooker incl oven | 268
2. Wiring, Cabling , Plugs| 164
3. Electrical Fault| 160
4. Ring/Hot Plate| 78
5. Tumble Dryer| 37

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 3

Injury (Incl. rescue with injury): 206

Rescued (Rescue without injury): 2

South West

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 33

2022/23 – 28

20223/23 – 35

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Heater/Fire| 6
2. Extractor Fan| 3
3. Tumble Dryer| 3
4. Dishwasher| 3
5. Washing Machine | 3

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 0

Injuries: 2

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 168

2022/23 – 186

20223/23 – 175

Total: 529

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

• Tumble Dryer
• Washing Machine
• Fluorescent Lights
• Fridge/Freezer
• Dishwasher

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 1

Serious Injurie: 1

Slight Injuries: 40

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 163

2022/23 – 153

20223/23 – 162

Total: 478

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Electricity supply – Wiring, cabling, plugs| 169
2. Electricity supply – Apparatus – batteries,
   generators| 34
3. Other domestic style appliance – Tumble dryer| 27
4. Other domestic style appliance – Washing
   machine| 25
5. Other appliance or equipment | 13

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Injuries: 22

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 178

2022/23 – 180

20223/23 – 180

Top Five Appliance Causes 

1. Cooker incl. oven
2. Wiring, cabling, plugs
3. Microwave oven
4. Electrical Fault
5. Apparatus – batteries, generators

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 2

Injuries: 131

Wales

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 313

2022/23 – 276

20223/23 – 286

Total: 875

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooker incl oven | 297
2. Wiring, Cabling , Plugs| 164
3. Ring/Hot Plate| 90
4. Tumble Dryer| 70
5. Apparatus – batteries/generators | 51

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 7

Electrical Fires Attended Casualties: 91

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 261

2022/23 – 227

20223/23 – 225

Total: 713

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooker incl. oven | 335
2. Tumble Dryers| 53
3. Microwave Oven| 49
4. Grill/Toaster| 40
5. Heaters/Fires | 26

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 3

Injury: 41

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service

Number of electrical fires in the home

(Between April 6 – April 5)

2021/22 – 368

2022/23 – 348

20223/23 – 394

Total: 1110

Top Five Appliance Causes | Total Fires Caused

1. Cooking Appliance | 417
2. Other Domestic Style Applicance | 97
3. Heating Equipment | 89
4. Electric Lighting | 63
5. Industrial Equiment | 47

Fatalities and Injuries 

(Between April 6 – April 5 2021/24)

Fatalities: 9

Casualties: 258

Rescues: 64

When we buy products, whether they’re used for important everyday tasks or for our enjoyment, we expect them to work as intended. What we don’t expect is for those products to cause us harm, and yet, unfortunately, this does happen. In this guide, you can learn about pursuing compensation through a defective product claim.

We start by discussing the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Protection Act 1987, two pieces of legislation which set out your rights. Additionally, we explain how defective product claims might come about and what you can do to help your claim succeed.

Furthermore, we look at how compensation is calculated if you make a successful faulty product claim. Lastly, our guide reviews why many people come to our expert personal injury solicitors for legal support on a No Win No Fee basis.

You can get immediate and free guidance by getting in touch with us today. We also provide a free claim assessment to see if you can start a case, but there’s no obligation to do so. Choose one of these options:

• Call our 24/7 line on 0800 073 8804.
• Go online to contact us and request a call.
• Click on the live chat pop-up at the foot of this page.

Select A Section

1. What Is A Defective Product Claim?
2. What Types of Defective Products Could Cause Injuries?
3. Can Defective Products Cause Fires?
4. What Should I Do If I Suffered An Injury Due To A Defective Product?
5. What Compensation Could I Claim If I’m Injured By Faulty Goods?
6. Can I Make A No Win No Fee Defective Product Compensation Claim?
7. More Resources About Making A Defective Product Claim

What Is A Defective Product Claim?

When you buy a product, you automatically have legal protection that entitles you to take action if you are harmed by a defect that wasn’t your fault.

Your consumer rights are safeguarded by two key pieces of legislation:

• The Consumer Rights Act 2015. Section 9 of this law states that goods must be of a satisfactory quality, which means that a reasonable person would consider the product to meet a satisfactory standard.
• The Consumer Protection Act 1987. Under this Act, consumers have the right to seek damages if they are harmed by defective products.

With this in mind, you are able to make a personal injury claim if you can show that you bought an item that was faulty, and that this fault caused you to suffer an injury. Alternatively, you can claim if someone else bought the product but you were injured by it.

You may have a valid defective product claim for an incident you’ve had that caused harm or damage. To find out whether you have an eligible case, simply call Legal Expert today through the number at the top of this page for a free consultation. 

What Types of Defective Products Could Cause Injuries?

Any product could theoretically cause an injury if it is manufactured with a fault. Resulting injuries can be minor, such as a slight laceration or bruise, while some injuries could be severe, life-threatening or even fatal. 

Here, we are going to look at different types of products that, if made faulty, could lead to various types of incidents that have the potential to cause injury or damage:

• Electrical equipment, such as mobile phone chargers or hair straighteners, if faulty, could lead to electrical shocks, burns, scarring, or hair and skin damage. 
• Medical devices or tools. For example, if a patient is fitted with a faulty pacemaker, this could lead them to suffer a fatal heart attack. 
• Kitchen or home appliances. As we discuss in the next section, appliances like TVs, cookers tumble dryers and washing machines are a leading cause of house fires. This has the potential to cause massive damage, injury and even death. 
• Vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, bikes or scooters. A fault with a vehicle could lead to a road traffic accident and inflict broken bones, internal injuries or brain damage.
• Gardening equipment or power tools. Even an unpowered tool like a hacksaw or a ladder could cause serious harm. A broken ladder could lead to someone falling from height. 

If a faulty item has caused damage or injury/illness, you have the right to seek compensation under the Consumer Protection Act. Call today to discuss how we can help with a defective product injury claim.

Can Defective Products Cause Fires?

It is entirely possible that a product defect could lead to a fire. Government statistics show that 24,083 accidental fires in English dwellings were recorded between April 2022 and March 2023.

One of the leading causes of accidental fires in dwellings in the year 2022/23 was faulty appliances and leads, which caused 3,486 fires. Faulty fuel supplies were also a leading cause of accidental fires, causing 2,325 fires.

If you were hurt in a fire caused by faulty electrics or other defective appliances, call today to discuss your options and see if our solicitors could help you make a product liability compensation claim.

What Should I Do If I Suffered An Injury Due To A Defective Product?

First and foremost, you should make sure you get the medical treatment you need. After that, you could consider whether you have a case against the manufacturer for a defective product claim. With that in mind, see if you can collect the following:

• A copy of the fire investigation report. You can request a copy from your local fire and rescue service.
• The product itself, as well as any photos or videos that highlight the fault.
• Any packaging, instructions or safety notices that came with the product.
• Proof of purchase. This could be an entry on a bank statement or a receipt.
• Medical evidence showing the extent of your injuries and treatment. You can ask your GP for a copy of your medical records.

Ultimately, evidence could decide whether or not a faulty product compensation claim is successful because it should prove liability. If you work with a personal injury solicitor, they can help you gather evidence and present it during your claim.

For more information on how our solicitors help people claim for injuries caused by product defects, and what evidence you can collect to give your claim the best chance of success, call the number listed above.

What Compensation Could I Claim If I’m Injured By Faulty Goods?

Should you win your defective product compensation claim, you will be awarded compensation. Payouts in personal injury claims can be split into two parts, known as heads of loss.

The primary head of loss is general damages, which aim to compensate you for any physical injury or emotional damage.

When payouts for personal injury compensation claims are calculated, those figuring out a number might get some insight from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This document has guideline compensation brackets for different injuries, and we have used it to create the table you see below.

Compensation Table

This table features JCG figures, with the top line being the only exception. All personal injury cases differ so the table is just a guide.

INJURY	SEVERITY	AMOUNT
Multiple Significant Injuries And Financial Losses	Severe	Up to £1,000,000+
Hand	Total Or Effective Loss Of Both Hands	£171,680 to £245,900
Hand	Moderate	£6,910 to £16,200
Injuries Affecting Sight	Loss of Sight in One Eye with Reduced Vision in the Remaining Eye (i)	£117,150 to £219,400
Brain Damage	Moderate (ii)	£110,720 to £183,190
Leg	Amputation Of One Leg Above The Knee	£127,930 to £167,760
Burns	Significant Burns Covering 40% Or More Of The Body	Likely to exceed £127,930
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)	Severe	£73,050 to £122,850
Lung Damage	Breathing Difficulties (Short Of Disabling Breathlessness)	£38,210 to £66,920
Scarring To Other Parts Of The Body	Single Disfiguring Scar	£9,560 to £27,740

Can My Defective Product Injury Claim Payout Account For Financial Loss?

It is also possible to seek compensation for financial losses that an injury caused. The special damages head of claim accounts for this, meaning that your defective product claim payout could include reimbursement for:

• The cost of replacing damaged property, not including the faulty product itself.
• Medical expenses.
• Travel fees.
• A loss of earnings if you cannot work due to your injuries.

Make sure that you keep receipts, payslips and other documents showing out of pocket expenses so you can submit them as evidence.

If you’d like to discuss how much compensation you might receive for an injury caused by faulty products, simply call us or use the live chat option below.

Can I Make A No Win No Fee Defective Product Compensation Claim?

You’re likely to find that the claims process runs more smoothly with professional guidance. Our specialist No Win No Fee solicitors are personal injury experts who can:

• Be there for you when you want to seek legal advice.
• Use their knowledge to push for the best possible resolution.
• Submit all paperwork within the legal time limit and prevent any unnecessary delays.

You can get this support without paying any upfront or ongoing solicitor fees. Furthermore, you wouldn’t have to pay for the solicitor’s work if the case loses because our solicitors offer their work under a Conditional Fee Agreement.

You are guaranteed to receive a clear majority of your payout if the claim wins. This is because a legal cap set out by The Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013 restricts the percentage of your compensation that a solicitor can take as their success fee.

Contact Us For Free Product Liability Claim Guidance

If you’d like to learn more about making a defective product claim or believe you have a case, we can help. Simply contact us any time for free guidance and an evaluation that can let you know if one of our expert solicitors could take your case, but does not include an obligation to start legal action.

This service is available to you all day, every day. Reach us through any of these ways:

• Call 0800 073 8804.
• Contact us online.
• Send a message through the live chat feature.

More Resources About Making A Defective Product Claim

Here are some further articles from our extensive collection:

• How to make a broken or faulty handle compensation claim.
• We discuss claims for defective farming equipment or machinery.
• A look at housing disrepair compensation claims.

These sites could also have information you need.

• Government advice on Statutory Sick Pay claims.
• Check this Chartered Trading Standards Institute page to see the latest product recall and safety notice updates in the UK.
• Information on first aid from the NHS

Thank you for reading our defective product claim guide. Please call if you need any further guidance or support.

With the recent ban in XL Bullies in the UK, many police forces have been cracking down on tackling canine-related offences including dog attacks. 

Tragic stories of children being mauled by dogs and people being left with sometimes life-changing injuries following a dog attacks seem to be increasingly permeating news headlines. 

Most recently, an Akita dog was shot dead by armed police after it attacked two people and then ran loose on the streets of York. 

Similarly, a woman was injured in an attack by an XL Bully in Eccles in June 2024. The dog was also shot dead by Greater Manchester Police and officers and members of the public were unable to “regain control” of it. 

Dog attacks can be tragic incidents all the way around, from owners who fail to appropriately control their pet to victims who often suffer horror injuries as a result. It begs the question then, what can be done to curb the number of attacks?

How Legal Expert Can Help You

Legal Expert has a team of specialist personal injury solicitors who are experienced in dog bite claims. If you’d like free advice and support and to check if you can claim compensation, get in touch with us for free using the number at the top of this page, or send us a message via our live chat.

How We Conducted Our Research Into Dog Attacks

Legal Expert conducted an investigation into the number of dog attacks across the UK’s biggest police force areas. 

We also delved into how many people have been charged for dog attack offences and of those who were not, what (if any) were the consequences? 

A series of Freedom of Information Requests were submitted to the 10 largest police forces in the UK asking for the number of dog attack offences in the last three years as well as the breed of dogs involved, the severity of injuries incurred and police action taken.

Shockingly, results revealed that a minuscule number of people are actually charged with dog attack offences compared to the number of attacks recorded by police.

“Evidential Difficulties” was most commonly cited as being the leading hindrance to any further police action.

See the findings for your area below.

Statistics On Dog Attacks In The UK

The number of dog attacks has soared in South Yorkshire over the last three years but police have revealed that only 65 people have been charged with an offence since 2021.

Our investigation revealed that 2,416 dog attacks have been recorded by South Yorkshire Police since 2021, with figures rising year on year. 

The number of attacks have skyrocketed from 638 between 2021/22 to 994 between 2023/24 – that’s a leap of 56%.

These are instances where owners or people in charge of a dog have allowed it to be ‘dangerously out of control’ and where the dog has injured a person or guide dog. 

Information obtained via Freedom of Information Requests revealed that just 65 people (3%) have been charged or summonsed for such offences by South Yorkshire Police in the last three years, with some others given a caution. 

In a third (34%) of cases across the county, police cited ‘evidential difficulties’ as the reason no further police action was taken following a dangerously out-of-control dog incident. 

Other reasons include, that ‘formal action is not in the public interest’ or ‘a community resolution’ was reached. 

Generally, if a dog bites a person it will be presumed to have been ‘dangerously out of control.’ However, even if the dog does not bite, but gives the person grounds to feel that the dog may injure them, the law still applies. 

A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if: it injures someone’s animal or the owner of the animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal.

South Yorkshire Police revealed that in 34% of dog attack cases, there was a lack of evidence which prevented further police action.

In some cases, the crime was confirmed but the victim either declines or is unable to identify the offender. In other instances, the suspect is identified but the victim does not support (or withdraws support from) police action. 

There are also times when the victim does support police action but evidential difficulties prevent further police action, in which case the incident may be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service. But in South Yorkshire this happened in just 8% of cases in the last three years. 

Since 2021, 29% of dog attack incidents in South Yorkshire were followed by a ‘community resolution’ which is usually an informal agreement between parties involved in low level offences. 

Out of the 2,416 incidents in the last three years, police issued 25 conditional adult cautions, 3 simple adult cautions and one penalty notice for disorder. 

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We’re determined to provide the very best level of service that we can. That begins when you first visit our website, continues as you speak with our advisors, and carries on right the way through your claim.

On this page, you can find our key customer support information.

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Recently, the UK’s first ever parliamentary inquiry into birth trauma called for an overhaul of maternity and postnatal care after finding poor care is “all-too-frequently tolerated as normal.”

Conservative MP, Theo Clarke and Labour MP, Rosie Duffield co-chaired the inquiry which heard harrowing evidence from more than 1,300 women in May, 2024. 

Some said they were left in blood-soaked sheets while others said their children had suffered life-changing injuries due to medical negligence. 

The inquiry’s report called for a new maternity commissioner who would report directly to the prime minister, along with ensuring safe levels of staffing. 

Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins said the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) will commission new research into the economic impact of birth trauma.

But she added that there is “much work to do to deliver on the findings of the report.”

The inquiry prompted LegalExpert’s new investigation into childbirth and maternity negligence in the NHS.

According to NHS Resolution, “maternity claims represent the highest value and second highest number of clinical negligence claims.” 

Which is why it is perhaps surprising that Victoria Atkins concluded her response to the birth trauma inquiry with: “this is the first time in the NHS’s 75-year history that I, as the Secretary of State, but also the chief executive of NHS England, are both mums.” 

Get Help With Childbirth Medical Negligence Claims

Here at Legal Expert, we have a team of specialist medical negligence solicitors who hold tremendous expertise in birth injury claims.

If you’d like to speak with us to get free legal advice on your case, we’re all too happy to help. Our freephone helpline is open 24 hours a day and you can also speak to us via our live chat or WhatsApp chat.

Any advice we provide is free of charge and carries no obligation to proceed with a medical negligence claim.

To learn more, please get in touch.

How We Conducted Research Into Childbirth And Maternity Care Negligence

To gain a true insight in the levels of negligence in childbirth and maternity care in the NHS, LegalExpert submitted Freedom of Information Requests to NHS Resolution – which is the legal body of the NHS. 

We asked for the number of claims lodged against NHS Trusts for birth injuries as a result of medical malpractice in the last five years as well as the number of incidents reported. We asked that these be broken down by NHS Trust, Cause of Negligence and Primary Injury caused. We also requested the number and cost of such claims.

Our findings were broken down into three categories. The first, focusing on the childbirth injuries sustained. The second, focused on the NHS Trusts most accused of childbirth and maternity negligence and the third on the most common types of negligence allegations made against the NHS. 

Claims of Injuries Caused by Childbirth and Maternity Negligence

Brain Damage and Cerebral Palsy childbirth clinical negligence claims have cost the NHS £1.6bn in compensation payouts in the last five years. 

The NHS has paid out more than £600 million for brain damage caused by medical negligence during childbirth and a further £980 million for Cerebral Palsy claims.

Obstetrics is the branch of medicine and surgery that deals with childbirth and maternity. 

Claims of negligence within the branch include errors that can be caused by healthcare professionals during childbirth. 

A total of 4,805 such claims have been lodged against the NHS since 2019, costing a combined total of more than £2bn in damages payouts alone – this does not include legal costs.

Nearly 500 claims and incidents of brain damage have been reported to NHS Resolution, the legal body of the health service, since 2019. A further 264 medical negligence claims and incidents were also raised specifically relating to cerebral palsy.

Traumatic births can lead to the baby sustaining a brain injury, most often caused by oxygen deprivation, which could cause life-changing conditions such as cerebral palsy.

Brain damage occurs when some of the brain cells become damaged or destroyed during childbirth.

This can happen in a number of situations including; oxygen deprivation to the neonatal brain, a physical head injury during birth caused by excessive force from forceps or by the head becoming stuck in the birth canal. 

In mild cases of brain damage, the child may eventually recover with little or no lasting effects. However, severe brain injury can lead to devastating and lifelong disabilities such as cerebral palsy with the child typically needing treatment for the rest of their life.

Through information obtained via Freedom of Information Requests, Legal Expert revealed that 484 claims and incidents of brain injury caused by medical negligence have been reported in the last five years. 

Since 2019, the NHS has settled 181 Brain Damage Obstetric Negligence claims with compensation payouts totaling £600, 218, 446. 

Additionally, the Health Service has settled 254 Cerebral Palsy claims with damages amounting to an eye-watering £980,035,20.

In the same time period, 29 claims of ‘wrongful birth’ have been settled by the NHS for a total of £126,551,211. 

Allegations of ‘wrongful birth’ are made by the parents of a child born with a birth defect who feel they were deprived of the opportunity to make an informed decision about whether to avoid or terminate a pregnancy. 

Childbirth and Maternity Clinical Negligence Claims by Trust and Damages Payout

See results in your local trust below.

Jump to: 

• East of England
• South East
• Midlands
• North West
• North East and Yorkshire
• South East
• South West
• London

East of England

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Mid and South Essex NHS Trust has paid out £63 million in childbirth and maternity medical negligence claims in the last five years – more than any other NHS provider.

The eye-watering sum is the amount of compensation alone the trust has forked out for a total of 78 claims lodged against it since 2019.

What’s more, it had the second highest number of childbirth and maternity clinical negligence lodged against it, with 124 such claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution

Obstetric figures reveal damages pay-outs at the Essex Trust totaling £63,163,013 between 2019-20 and 2022-23.

The Trust runs three major hospitals across the county; Southend University Hospital, Broomfield Hospital and Basildon University Hospital. 

As recently as December 2023, the Trust agreed a settlement with a mum who claimed her child suffered brain damage around the time of her birth at Southend University Hospital 20 years ago. 

Clinical negligence claims and incidents across all NHS Trusts in the last five years include 484 relating to babies with brain damage, 471 stillbirths and 342 mother or baby deaths. 

Of those claims settled, £980 million was spent on compensation for celebral palsy related claims and a further £600 million was paid out for claims pertaining to brain damage caused by obstetric negligence. 

The leading cause of negligence according to the claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution during this time include; Fail/delay in treatment and diagnosis as well as failure to respond to abnormal Fetal Heart Rate. 

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes NHS Trusts

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust  

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 49

No. of claims settled: 37

Total Damages Paid: £11,448,510

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust  

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 42

No. of claims settled: 29

Total Damages Paid: £8,468,903

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Trusts

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 15

No. of claims settled: 14

Total Damages Paid: £22,032,180

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 57

No. of claims settled: 39

Total Damages Paid: £10,602,823

Norfolk & Waveney NHS Trusts

Norfolk and Norwich University NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 34

No. of claims settled: 19

Total Damages Paid: £22,830,729

James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 14

No. of claims settled: 10

Total Damages Paid: £14,218,480

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 17

No. of claims settled: 11

Total Damages Paid: £5,251,418

South East

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust has paid out £58 million in childbirth and maternity medical negligence claims in the last five years.

A total of 60 such claims have been lodged against it since 2019. It is the second highest amount of all NHS Trusts in England.

Damages pay-outs at the Sussex Trust totalled £58,027,688 between 2019-20 and 2022-23.

The Trust runs four major hospitals across the county, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Worthing Hospital, St Richard’s Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital. 

Earlier this month, the parents of a baby who died at two weeks old launched a compensation claim against the trust after a coroner ruled that failure to recognise his mother’s rare medical condition contributed to their son’s death. 

Robyn and Jonathan Davis from Steying in West Sussex say they are seeking damages for the physical and mental impact following the death of their baby, at Worthing Hospital in September 2021.

Midlands

Birmingham NHS Trusts

Birmingham Women’s and and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 67

No. of claims settled: 42

Total Damages Paid: £26,553,968

University Hospital of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 60

No. of claims settled: 33

Total Damages Paid: £16,076,572

Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 36

No. of claims settled: 21

Total Damages Paid: £10,159,253

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £19,373,787

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 53

No. of claims settled: 38

Nottinghamshire NHS Trusts

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 60

No. of claims settled: 42

Total Damages Paid: £24,395,703

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 18

No. of claims settled: 12

Total Damages Paid: £23,631,122

Derbyshire Trusts

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 87

No. of claims settled: 39

Total Damages Paid: £20,661,497

Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 30

No. of claims settled: 17

Total Damages Paid: £5,337,453

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £3,167,704

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 62

No. of claims settled: 23

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £42,301,938

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 64

No. of claims settled: 41

North West

Lancashire NHS Trusts

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 34

No. of claims settled: 23

Total Damages Paid: £32,361,183

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 52

No. of claims settled: 27

Total Damages Paid: £24,561,689

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 28

No. of claims settled: 20

Total Damages Paid: £19,445,886

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 16

No. of claims settled: 11

Total Damages Paid: £17,047,133

Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals NHS Trust 

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 22

No. of claims settled: 15

Total Damages Paid: £4,030,628

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £36,004,712

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 128

No. of claims settled: 84

North East and Yorkshire

North East and Cumbria NHS Trusts

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 38

No. of claims settled: 20

Total Damages Paid: £13,102,417

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 14

No. of claims settled: 8

Total Damages Paid: £12,618,508

Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 37

No. of claims settled: 13

Total Damages Paid: £6,520,064

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 18

No. of claims settled: 9

Total Damages Paid: £217,642

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 15

No. of claims settled: 8

Total Damages Paid: £648,445

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 30

No. of claims settled: 22

Total Damages Paid: £1,818,899

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 36

No. of claims settled: 20

Total Damages Paid: £7,141,767

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 44

No. of claims settled: 29

Total Damages Paid: £19,477,817

South East

Kent and Medway NHS Trusts

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 66

No. of claims settled: 36

Total Damages Paid: £14,293,484

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 28

No. of claims settled: 15

Total Damages Paid: £24,962,287

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 40

No. of claims settled: 21

Total Damages Paid: £20,121,545

Medway NHS Foundation Trust  

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 31

No. of claims settled: 21

Total Damages Paid: £20,230,906

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £41,437,675

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 73

No. of claims settled: 50

Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire Trusts

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: 27,340,122

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 33

No. of claims settled: 14

Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £21,836,844

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 48

No. of claims settled: 23

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £7,206,716

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 33

No. of claims settled: 15

South West

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £35,464,791

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 36

No. of claims settled: 25

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £1,280,855

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 24

No. of claims settled: 14

Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £6,701,662

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 26

No. of claims settled: 19

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £4,820,416

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 21

No. of claims settled: 8

Bristol NHS Trusts

North Bristol NHS Trust 

Total Damages Paid: £19,746,791

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 29

No. of claims settled: 14

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £24,132,371

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 33

No. of claims settled: 17

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £15,408,984

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 40

No. of claims settled: 23

Devon NHS Trusts

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £23,463,235

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 45

No. of claims settled: 23

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £10,297,179

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 11

No. of claims settled: 10

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £10,007,676

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 37

No. of claims settled: 20

Dorset NHS Trusts

Dorset County Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £15,709,839

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 15

No. of claims settled: 12

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £12,218,873

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 50

No. of claims settled: 37

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £20,848,067

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 38

No. of claims settled: 19

Somerset Trusts

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £8,223,845

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 23

No. of claims settled: 17

Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £8,704,088

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 18

No. of claims settled: 12

London

Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £56,976,228

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 63

No. of claims settled: 52

Barts Health NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £46,932,215

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 117

No. of claims settled: 60

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £43,962,197

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 60

No. of claims settled: 32

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £39,559,774

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 66

No. of claims settled: 42

 

Domestic violence and abuse is a growing concern in our society. Concerns have been raised by charities, police forces and industry professionals about an increase in domestic violence during Euro 2024.

We set out to research whether this could be an issue.

Get Legal Advice On Domestic Violence And Abuse

If you’ve suffered harm as a result of domestic violence and want legal advice on claiming compensation, we can help.

Here at Legal Expert, we have a team of specialist domestic violence solicitors who can help you get the compensation you deserve.

You can reach out to us in confidence today by calling us on the number above or messaging us via our live chat or WhatsApp chat

How We Conducted Our Research

The 2024 Euros is underway as England fans gear up for a summer of support for the team. But sadly, a rise in domestic abuse is expected to come along with it. 

Police forces across England have vowed to ‘Give Domestic Abuse the red card’ as the National Police Chief’s Councils warns of an anticipated rise in instances during this year’s European Football Championships.

Data from the National Centre for Domestic Violence revealed that incidents involving domestic abuse increased by 26% when England play and 38% when England lose.

The data also shows that domestic abuse increases by 11% the day after England have played dependent on the result.

Legal Expert has investigated levels of domestic violence in the past year in every policing area of the UK – including during the Qatar World Cup in November/December 2022 – and will evaluate further figures when then the Euro’s reaches completion. 

“It is an incredibly sad reality that football tournaments mean an increased risk of domestic abuse for many victims across the UK.

“Football doesn’t cause abuse but we’ve seen, over many years, offending associated with alcohol consumption, violence and other destructive behaviours exhibited by a small number of fans and the intense emotional highs and lows of a tournament, all of which can act as a catalyst for pre-existing abuse,” says Louisa Rolfe, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Domestic Abuse.

Legal Expert UK submitted Freedom of Information Requests to every UK police force to find out how many domestic abuse crimes had been reported each month between Nov 2022-Oct 2023.

We also asked for the gender of the victims, finding that the majority were female but male victim figures rose in some police force areas.

Women’s Aid Chief Executive, Farah Nazeer says: “In many ways, high-profile football competitions are a unique opportunity for us to come together and feel real unity and camaraderie as we root for our team to win. However, for those women and children living with domestic abuse, major championships can leave them vulnerable to existing abuse becoming more severe and frequent.

“It is a sad reality that 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse during their lifetime and it is vital that we, across society, are aware of when these dangers might increase and be on hand to help survivors escape and hold perpetrators accountable.”

Results below are for those police figures where Domestic Abuse Crimes where at their heighest during the Qatar World Cup compared with the rest of the year.

The Results Of Our Research

Cambridgeshire

Domestic abuse crimes recorded by Cambridgeshire Police last year peaked during the Qatar World Cup.

According to Cambridgeshire Constabulary, 28 domestic abuse crimes were recorded by the force every day on average last year. 

Some 10,309 cases were logged in total – which accounted for 16% of all crimes recorded across the county.

The highest recorded domestic abuse crimes in Cambridgeshire last year were in December 2022 – which is when the Qatar World Cup was underway.

A total of 970 domestic abuse crimes were reported to Cambridgeshire Constabulary during that month, the highest figures between Nov 2022-Nov 2023.

Of the 10,309 domestic abuse crimes in Cambridgeshire last year, 68% of victims were female and 25% were males, the remaining 7% of victims had a different gender definition or the gender was unknown, according to Cambridgeshire Police. 

Figures broken down by month

Nov 22 – 864

Dec 22 – 970

Jan 23 – 904

Feb 23 – 819

Mar 23 – 807

Apr 23 – 829

May 23 – 929

Jun 23 – 783

Jul 23 – 894

Aug 23 – 852

Sep 23 – 773

Oct 23 – 875

Merseyside

84 domestic abuse crimes were recorded by Merseyside Police every day on average last year. 

Some 30,494 cases were logged in total – which accounted for 19% of all crimes recorded across the county.

The highest recorded domestic abuse crimes in Merseyside last year were in November and December 2022 – which is when the Qatar World Cup was underway.

The months during the Qatar World Cup saw a surge in domestic abuse crimes in Merseyside with November and December 2022 recording the highest figures of the year.

November 2022 saw an eye-watering 2,732 domestic abuse crimes reported to Merseyside Police as well as a further 2,789 in December.

Of the 30,494 domestic abuse crimes in Merseyside last year, 73% of victims were female and 25% were male, while 2% of victims had a different gender definition or the gender was unknown, according to Merseyside Police.

Figures broken down by month

Nov 22 – 2,732

Dec 22 – 2,789

Jan 23 – 2,721

Feb 23 – 2,410

Mar 23 – 2,668

Apr 23 – 2,577

May 23 – 2,612

Jun 23 – 2,630

Jul 23 – 2,481

Aug 23 – 2,545

Sep 23 – 2,303

Oct 23 – 2,026

North Yorkshire

An average of 21 domestic abuse crimes were recorded by West Yorkshire Police every day last year, with a total of 7,738 cases logged in total.

The highest recorded domestic abuse crime figures in West Yorkshire between 2022/23 were in December 2022 – which is when the Qatar World Cup was underway.

During the Qatar World Cup there was a surge in domestic abuse crimes in North Yorkshire, with December 2022 recording the highest figures of the year.

A total of 755 domestic abuse crimes were recorded by North Yorkshire that month – that’s 17% above the average for that year.

Of the 7,738 domestic abuse crimes in North Yorkshire last year, 72% of victims were female and 28% were male.

Figures broken down by month

Nov 22 – 637

Dec 22 – 755

Jan 23 – 667

Feb 23 – 585

Mar 23 – 702

Apr 23 – 614

May 23 – 673

Jun 23 – 603

Jul 23 – 698

Aug 23 – 616

Sep 23 – 594

Oct 23 – 594

Hertfordshire

An average of 32 domestic abuse crimes were recorded by Hertfordshire Police every day last year. 

Some 11,549 incidents were logged in total – which accounted for 15% of all crimes recorded across the county.

The highest recorded domestic abuse crime figures in Hertfordshire between 2022/23 were in December 2022 – which is when the Qatar World Cup was underway.

During the Qatar World Cup there was a surge in domestic abuse crimes in Hertfordshire, with December 2022 recording the highest figures of the year of 1,081.

Of the 11,549 domestic abuse crimes in Hertfordshire last year, 71% of victims were female and 26% were male.

Figures broken down by month

Nov 22 – 899

Dec 22 – 1,081

Jan 23 – 1,020

Feb 23 – 948

Mar 23 – 996

Apr 23 – 947

May 23 – 1,005

Jun 23 – 1,011

Jul 23 – 957

Aug 23 – 896

Sep 23 – 895

Oct 23 – 894

Northamptonshire

An average of 28 domestic abuse crimes were recorded by Northamptonshire Police every day last year. 

Some 10,253 cases were logged in total – which accounted for 17% of all crimes recorded across the county.

The highest recorded domestic abuse crimes in Northamptonshire last year were in November 2022 – which is when the Qatar World Cup was underway.

The month during the Qatar World Cup saw a surge in domestic abuse crimes in Northamptonshire with November 2022 recording the highest figures of the year, 945.

Of the 10,253 domestic abuse crimes in Northamptonshire last year, 70% of victims were female and 23% were male, while 7% of victims had a different gender definition or the gender was unknown, according to Northamptonshire Police.

Figures broken down by month

Nov 22 – 945

Dec 22 – 887

Jan 23 – 925

Feb 23 – 861

Mar 23 – 895

Apr 23 – 872

May 23 – 816

Jun 23 – 845

Jul 23 – 876

Aug 23 – 797

Sep 23 – 754

Oct 23 – 780

Suffolk

An average of 22 domestic abuse crimes were recorded by Suffolk Police every day last year. 

Some 7,931 cases were logged in total – which accounted for 16% of all crimes recorded across the county.

The highest recorded domestic abuse crimes in Suffolk last year were in December 2022 – which is when the Qatar World Cup was underway.

The month during the Qatar World Cup saw a surge in domestic abuse crimes in Suffolk with December 2022 recording the highest figures of the year, 726.

Of the 7,931 domestic abuse crimes in Suffolk last year, 70% of victims were female and 26% were male, while 3% of victims had a different gender definition or the gender was unknown, according to Suffolk Police.

Figures broken down by month

Nov 22 – 690

Dec 22 – 726

Jan 23 – 699

Feb 23 – 635

Mar 23 – 701

Apr 23 – 664

May 23 – 625

Jun 23 – 646

Jul 23 – 651

Aug 23 – 617

Sep 23 – 654

Oct 23 – 623

Warwickshire

An average of18 domestic abuse crimes were recorded by Suffolk Police every day last year. 

Some 6,706 cases were logged in total – which accounted for 17% of all crimes recorded across the county.

The highest recorded domestic abuse crimes in Warwickshire last year were in December 2022 – which is when the Qatar World Cup was underway.

The month during the Qatar World Cup saw a surge in domestic abuse crimes in Warwickshire with December 2022 recording the highest figures of the year, 604.

Of the 6,706 domestic abuse crimes in Warwickshire last year, 70% of victims were female and 25% were male, while 3% of victims had a different gender definition or the gender was unknown, according to Warwickshire Police.

Figures broken down by month

Nov 22 – 558

Dec 22 – 604

Jan 23 – 499

Feb 23 – 555

Mar 23 – 587

Apr 23 – 579

May 23 – 571

Jun 23 – 551

Jul 23 – 586

Aug 23 – 558

Sep 23 – 520

Oct 23 – 538

There have been some significant criminal cases in recent years involving taxi drivers. It prompted us to conduct some research into the crimes and offences committed by drivers.

How We Conducted Our Research

There has been a multitude of taxi drivers across the UK who have recently been convicted for criminal offences including sexual assault, drink-driving, possession of drugs, threats to kill and rape. 

 

The news has sparked an influx of inquiries to LegalExpert about how to pursue legal action if you have been the victim of a crime in a taxi or at the hands of a taxi driver.

As a taxi passenger, there is a level of safety and security expected to be upheld – particularly when travelling alone or in vulnerable circumstances. 

However, the laws and guidelines by which taxi driver licences are issued in the UK have long been shrouded in controversy with many advocating for tighter regulations around licensing.

The government issued ‘Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards’ in 2020 for the first time, in an effort to safeguard the most vulnerable in society.

In most UK areas, licences for taxis and private hire vehicles – or minicabs – are issued by unitary, borough or district councils. In London, the system is managed by Transport for London. 

The Department for Transport has issued guidance on taxi and private hire vehicle licensing since 2006, to “assist local authorities that have responsibility for the regulation of the taxi and private hire vehicle trades.”

But why then are criminals slipping through the net? The vulnerability of a taxi passenger and the ‘privacy’ of a taxi vehicle can make them prime settings for more sinister crimes such as rape of sexual assaults to take place. 

In 2020 the government issued, for the first time, Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards to safeguard the most vulnerable in society.

The latest update published in November 2020 says: “There is evidence to support the view that taxis and private hire vehicles (PHV) are a high-risk environment. 

“In terms of risks to passengers, this can be seen in abuse and exploitation of children and vulnerable adults facilitated and in some cases perpetrated by the trade and the number of sexual crimes reported which involve taxi and private hire vehicle drivers.

“Links between the trade and child sexual abuse and exploitation have been established in many areas and other investigations continue.”

LegalExpert set out to investigate the level of criminality among the UKs city taxi drivers to gain an understanding of the current landscape and gauge whether the 2020 safeguarding standards have impacted taxi driver crime levels and subsequently, passenger safety.

We sent out Freedom of Information requests to the 36 Metropolitan Councils in England asking for the number of taxi drivers (those that hold a licence issued UK Metropolitan Councils) who have been arrested, convicted or issued with a caution for both non-sexual and sexual offences. 

See your area’s results below.

Results

Coventry City Council

Non-Sexual Offences

6 April 2021 – 5 April 2022

Offence	Police Action	Number
Child Neglect	Arrested	1
Assault ABH	Arrested – victim withdrawn support	1
Drink Driving	DVLA licence suspended	2
Assault, Threats to Kill	NFA	1
Possession with intent to supply cannabis  £375k at Belfast	One served six months. Unknown about other driver	2

6 April 2022 – 5 April 2022 

Offence	Police Action	Number
Assault	NFA as Victim stated lied to the Police	1
Drink Driving & assault on two Police officers	DVLA licence suspended	1
Possession with intent to supply cocaine and of an offensive weapon	Unknown	1
Failure to display  Private Hire Vehicle plate	Taxi Licensing Office Caution	7 (not Coventry licensed drivers)
Failure to display  Private Hire Vehicle plate	Taxi Licensing Office Conviction	2 (not Coventry licensed drivers)

6 April 2023 – 5 April 2024 

Offence	Police Action	Number
Assault GBH	Arrested – unknown	1
Assault GBH & ABH	Arrested – unknown	2
Failure to display  Private Hire Vehicle Plate	Taxi Licensing Office  Caution	20 (not Coventry  licensed drivers)
Failure to display  Private Hire Vehicle Plate	Taxi Licensing Office  Conviction	1 (not Coventry  licensed drivers)

Sexual Offences

6 April 2021 – 5 April 2022

Offence	Police Action	Number
Rape  Rape	Sentenced 8 yrs 4 mths Arrester	1 1

6 April 2022 – 5 April 2022 

Offence	Police Action	Number
Assault	NFA as Victim stated lied to the Police	1
Take/Distribute child  sexual photographs	Unknown	1
Historic sexual abuse 1980s	Unknown With niece aged 7-11 years old	1
Sexual assault	On bail	1

6 April 2023 – 5 April 2024 

None. 

Sandwell

Non-sexual offences

Description	April 21 – Mar  22	Apr 22 – Mar 23	Apr 23 – Mar 24
Arrest	1. Threats to kill  and Assault  2. Assault  3. Assault	1. Drink Driving 2. Drink Driving 3. Assault  4. Drugs	1. Assault  2. Assault
Caution	0	0	0
Conviction	0	1. Breach of   Molestation   Order	0
Total for that   year	3	5	2

Sexual Offence

Description	April 21 – Mar  22	Apr 22 – Mar 23	Apr 23 – Mar 24
Arrest	1. Rape	1. Sexual   Assault  2. Rape	1. Sexual   Assault  2. Sexual   Assault  3. Rape  4. Indecent   Images
Caution	0	0	0
Conviction  Total for that   year	0  1	0  2	0  4

Metropolitan Police

A total of 79 rape offences were connceted with London taxi drivers last year alone, according to the Met Police – a 41% increase on previous years.

A total of 179 sexual offences by private hire and taxi drivers in London were recorded by police last year.

This includes 79 rapes and 100 other sexual offences, which include assault.

The highest number of these sexual offences took place in November 2022 and more offences were shown to have taken place between 5-6pm than at any other time of day.

 

 

What’s more, figures could be higher because only data where the occupation of the sexual offender was recorded by police have been counted.

This includes; taxi-driver, mini-cab driver and chauffeur but there may have been instances where the occupation of the person committing the sexual offence was not included – however criminal processes would continue as usual.

Get Help With A Criminal Injury Claim

If you’ve been harmed by a taxi driver, either in an assault or sexual offence including rape, to being harmed as a passenger due to a taxi driver’s drunk driving, Legal Expert can help.

We’re specialists in criminal injury claims and can help with all types of cases. If you’d like a free eligibility check, then get in touch with us for free today.