City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation is the municipal governing body of the City of London, the historic centre of London and the location of much of the UK’s financial sector. We have a unique role and broad remit that extends beyond a typical local authority, focusing on three key aims: promoting London as a global financial and business hub while attracting investment to the UK, partnering with communities to boost skills and opportunities for all Londoners, and enriching the city as a vibrant centre of culture, history, and green spaces for residents, workers, and visitors alike

Our work in suicide prevention

The City of London has the highest daytime population of any Local authority in the UK with hundreds of thousands of workers, residents, students and visitors packed into a Square Mile of densely developed space.

The City has three potential population groups who are at risk: residents who live in the City; those who work in the City; and those who travel to the City with the intention of committing suicide from a City site, but have no specific connection to the City (neighbouring boroughs which also have high buildings and bridges, for example, Westminster, may be experiencing similar issues).

Following the transfer of public health from the NHS into Local Government in April 2013, suicide became a Local Authority led initiative involving close collaboration with the Police, Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), NHS England, coroners and the voluntary sector.

The City of London Corporation have produce a joint Suicide Prevention Action Plan with the Police which outlines the steps we shall be focusing on in the next three years to reduce suicide attempts in the Square Mile.

Our current priorities

Nationally, adult men represent the demographic most affected by suicide. Local analysis by the City coroner found that 70% of suicides occurred among those aged 25–54, with nearly three-quarters being men. The male-dominated workforce and younger age profile (20–50 years) of City workers align with this at-risk group, alongside a higher-than-average proportion of male residents in the City of London.

The City and Hackney suicide audit recommended increasing education and awareness in schools about self-harm, alongside training for service providers, such as GPs and teachers, on supporting affected children:

– The City of London has approximately 1,090 resident children (ONS, 2015).
– It maintains one primary school, sponsors three secondary academies, and oversees several independent schools.
– Research suggests up to 13% of young people may self-harm between ages 11–16, with actual rates likely higher.
– A 2014 report revealed a 70% rise in A&E visits for self-harm in 10–14-year-olds over two years.

City and Hackney conducted a detailed audit using mortality data from the Office for National Statistics and the Public Health Knowledge and Data Gateway. Additional data on suicides in the City of London was obtained from the Coroner and City of London Police. The police utilise Section 136 of the Mental Health Act to ensure the safety of individuals at risk in public spaces.

Our current challenges

Our mapping of support organisations across the UK shows significant gaps in
bereavement support.