Do forensic psychiatric inpatient units pose a risk to local communities

There has been rapid expansion of forensic psychiatric services in the United Kingdom over the last decade. This has been associated with concern from communities about the risk to which they are subjected by the presence of secure units in their local area. However, this assumption of risk is based on anecdotal or unrelated evidence. Our study aimed to determine the nature and level of risk posed by inpatients of medium secure units to their local communities in the south-east of England. Results showed that the contribution of these units to local crime figures included just one conviction for burglary over a five-year period. Other serious untoward incidents and their implications are discussed.