The development of an assault patient questionnaire to allow accident and emergency departments to contribute to Crime and Disorder Act local crime audits.

Objective: To evaluate and refine an assault patient questionnaire to facilitate the contribution of accident and emergency (A&E) departments to Crime and Disorder Act local crime audits.

Method: A brief nine item questionnaire was devised in collaboration with the authors of the Home Office British Crime Survey. A prospective sample of 46 consecutive assault patients who attended Cardiff Royal Infirmary A&E department were interviewed by either reception staff or triage nurses. The questionnaire was revised appropriately.

Results: The collection of information in A&E departments about the circumstances of violence was straightforward. Questions about motive for violence and about relationships between the injured and their assailants were problematic.

Conclusion: The collection of information relevant to Crime and Disorder Act crime audits was possible without extra resource. Receptionists were found to be the most appropriate staff to record information.