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Hit-and-runs or ‘Fail-to-stop incidents’ as they’re known in law are criminal offences in any case where injury or damage has been caused.
By law, drivers are required to stop at the scene and provide their name and address and that of the owner of the vehicle.
These incidents can result in devastating consequences, particularly if injuries or fatalities are involved.
Most recently, a 59-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two pedestrians were injured in a hit-and-run crash in Dorset.
One of the victims, a man in his 20s, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The second man struck, aged in his 30s, was not seriously hurt, according to theBBC.
Dorset Police said it was reported that the car involved failed to stop at the scene.
According to a driver survey by road safety charity Brake, 81% of UK drivers believe that drivers who kill or seriously injure should be banned from driving as a condition of bail.
According to a driver survey by road safety charity Brake, 81% of UK drivers believe that drivers who kill or seriously injure should be banned from driving as a condition of bail.
To gain a true insight into the prevalence of hit-and-run incidents on Britain’s roads, we set out to investigate.
How Legal Expert Can Help
Not knowing the driver’s identity can lead to complicated and often lengthy compensation processes. Legal Expert boasts a team of experienced solicitors who specialise in a range of different areas of law.
We offer free advice and support via our helpline and live chat service. If you’d like to speak with us now, please get in touch. You can also head here to learn more about car accident claims and how we can help you.
How We Conducted Our Research Into Hit-and-run Incidents In Britain
We submitted Freedom of Information requests to all 44 police forces in England and Wales asking for the number of hit-and-run incidents recorded in each policing district area in the last three years [Between April 6- April 5 2021/24]
We also asked for the number of casualties and fatalities as well as the severity of any injuries sustained.
See the results from your local police force below
A recent true-crime documentary series ‘TikTok: Murder Gone Viral’ has sparked public debate about crimes linked to the platform.
Following an influx of recent queries about what to do if you are a victim of a crime online, we set out to investigate.
How Legal Expert Can Help
Legal Expert boasts a team of experienced solicitors who specialise in a range of different areas of law. We offer free advice and support via our helpline and live chat service. If you’d like to speak with us now, please get in touch. You can also head here to learn more about criminal injury claims and how we can help you.
How We Conducted Our Research Into TikTok Criminal Offences
To gain a true understanding of the prevalence of criminal offences linked to the social media site, we sent out Freedom of Information Requests to all 44 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 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.
“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
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
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
Legal Expert boasts a team of experienced solicitors who specialise in a range of different areas of law, particularly claims against councils. We offer free advice and support via our helpline and live chat service. If you’d like to speak with us now, please get in touch.
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
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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – 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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – 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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – 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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – North East
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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – Northumberland
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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – West Yorkshire
Bradford City Council
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – Bradford
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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – Kirklees
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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – Wakefield
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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – Bath and North East Somerset
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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole
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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – Brighton & Hove
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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – Buckinghamshire
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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – Dorset
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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – Hull
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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – Leicester
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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – Medway
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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – Peterborough
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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – Reading
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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – Slough
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
Unauthorised Pupil Absences – 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)
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
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:
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.
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:
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
South Yorkshire Dog Attack Statistics
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.
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
NHS Childbirth and Maternity Claims
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
Childbirth and Maternity Negligence Claims and Damages by NHS 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
Childbirth and Maternity Negligence Claims at 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
Childbirth and Maternity Negligence Claims at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS 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
Childbirth and Maternity Negligence Claims at Norfolk and 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.
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.
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
Cambridgeshire Domestic Abuse
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
Merseyside Domestic Abuse
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
North Yorkshire Domestic Abuse
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
Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse
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
Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse
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
Suffolk Domestic Abuse
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
Warwickshire Domestic Abuse
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
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.
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 MetPolice – 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.
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