Following recent debates regarding the security of public figures like Ann Widdecombe, Peter Hitchens argues that the UK is overlooking a more pervasive threat to its citizens. He suggests that the real crisis lies in the rise of random violence linked to mental illness and drug abuse.
The 2,468 killings documented by Julian Hendy
The scale of mental health-related violence in the United Kingdom is significant and often goes unaddressed by mainstream policy. According to the report , Julian Hendy has documented 2,468 such killings since 1993, with an estimated 100 to 120 occurring every year . these incidents, often involving individuals with histories of seveere mental illness and drug abuse, represent a persistent threat to the safety of ordinary citizens in public spaces.
This trend is part of a larger pattern of declining public security that campaign groups like Hundred Families have been highlighting for years. while political figures may receive heightened protection, the average person on public transport or in their own neighborhood remains vulnerable to unpredictable assaults.
The 1985 mental hospital closure legacy
The current landscape of mental health care in the UK is heavily influenced by the policy shifts that occurred after 1985.. The widespread closure of mental hospitals during this period has left a vacuum in supervised care, a problem that Peter Hitchens argues is compounded by a modern "drug pandemic."
The proliferation of illegal substances, particularly marijuana, has added a layer of volatility to an already strained system. As the report notes, the reluctance of authorities to maintain robust records or take decisive action against drug-related instability has allowed this cycle of violence to continue unchecked.
The £19 million Thirlwall Inquiry's narrow scope
Beyond street-level violence, institutional scrutiny is also facing criticism for its perceived lack of breadth. The Thirlwall Inquiry, which has cost nearly £19 million to date, is currently investigating the Lucy Letby case, but its focus remains heavily centered on the individual's guilt.
What Sir David Davis identifies as systemic NHS failures
Critics of the inquiry, including Sir David Davis, argue that the investigation is ignoring critical context regarding the National Health Service (NHS). There are significant unanswered questions about whether the deaths in the Letby case were driven by individual malice or by broader institutional issues such as understaffing, contamination, and infection control failures.
The inquiry's current approach has been described as dismissing doubts as mere "noise." This raises a vital question: is the Thirlwall Inquiry seeking the full truth of the Letby case, or is it failing to address the systemic vulnerabilities that may have contributed to the tragedy?
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