THE number of suicides in East Lancashire has fallen by 18 per cent in the last 15 years, with prevention work credited for the drop.
Overall there were 57 suicides in 2002 compared to 48 in 2017.
In total were 846 suicides in East Lancashire in the 15-year period, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.
Blackburn with Darwen is the borough with the highest number of people who have taken their lives with 252, followed by Hyndburn (141), Pendle (136), Burnley (124), Rossendale (112) and Ribble Valley (81).
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council public health director Dominic Harrison said it had set up a suicide prevention strategy group, which has helped suicide numbers fall in the borough from as high as 20 in 2015 to 12 last year.
He said: “This fall in suicides is welcome and early intervention is key, so those at risk of suicide are identified early and programmes to help them are implemented in advance of their situation getting worse.”
The council will host a vigil outside Blackburn Town Hall to mark World Suicide Prevention Day next Monday.
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