MORE people living in the most deprived areas of Bolton are taking their own lives compared to the rest of the borough, it has been revealed.

More than half of suicides between January and August last year were by people who live in the poorest part of the town.

An interim report on suicide rates in Bolton by Public Health has shown an increase in suicides in the most deprived fifth of population — they made up a third of suicides across all of Bolton in 2014 but accounted for 58 per cent in the first eight months alone of 2016.

It found that physical health, poverty, isolation and recent unemployment or redundancy are among some of the biggest factors pushing people to suicide.

Assistant director of Public Health, Sue Longden, said: "If all things were equal, the numbers would be split between the population, with 20 per cent in each fifth, but it's not.

"There is national work going ahead which is looking at the impact of loss of income and its link to mental health, suicide and self-harm.

"This report tells us there is a need to target our efforts in the most deprived areas, that's where we are seeing the worst outcomes."

The report compiles the figures of the Suicide Audit which analyses the results of coroners' reports over the course of the year where the result was suicide or an open verdict where self-harm or unintentional suicide may be a factor.

Looking at factors including gender, ethnicity, age and employment status, it is intended as a means to understand why suicides are taking place and find a means to prevent them.

On average, Bolton records around 30 suicides per year — lower than the national average.

The interim report looks at the results of 13 suicides with an "overwhelming" number — 75 per cent — by men of young to middle age, all of whom were white British.

The majority of suicides — 83 per cent took place at home — and half of the people who committed suicide had reported problems with alcohol and 42 per cent with drugs misuse.

Just over a third had a mental health diagnosis a year prior to their death.

However there was a significant increase in the number of people who were on sick leave or unemployed due to ill health — from six per cent to 25 per cent — and an increase in the number of violent female suicides, such as hanging.

Mrs Longden added: "In the region of 270 people have taken their own life across 10 years, around 30 each year.

"There has been no increase, but that is still 30 too many.

"We are working with a number of organisations to look at health and wellbeing in the community and increase suicide prevention.

"Some may be of the opinion that it is not preventable, but it is. There are ways of working on suicide prevention which we are doing in Bolton and will continue to do."

The report was presented to Bolton Council Health and Wellbeing Board on Thursday.

Members discussed the option of working with GPs to help signpost vulnerable patients to services which can provide financial support.