THE rate of suicide in Basingstoke and Deane has hit a 12-year low despite surging for over a decade, new figures show.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that seven suicides were registered in the borough last year, marking a decrease on the previous year and the lowest rate since 06.

Last year 6,507 people took their own lives across Great Britain, marking a 12 per cent rise on the previous year.

The figures were released in line with World Suicide Prevention Day on Tuesday, September 10, which is an annual awareness raising day organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention and the World Health Organisation.

This year’s theme is “Working Together to Prevent Suicide” and letting people know that we all have a role to play and together we can collectively address the challenges presented by suicidal behaviour in society today.

Speaking about the national figures Nick Stripe, head of health analysis and life events at the ONS, said: “We saw a significant increase in the rate of deaths registered as suicide last year which has changed a trend of continuous decline since 2013.

"While the exact reasons for this are unknown, the latest data show that this was largely driven by an increase among men who have continued to be most at risk of dying by suicide."