Investigation of frequency and characteristics of violent deliberate self-harm (DSH) amongst adolescents. Study was retrospective, over 3-year period, based on records of attendees at child and adolescent mental health clinics in North West London. Nine adolescents showed violent self-harm out of 982 DSH cases (frequency 0.92%). The nine cases included five female asylum seekers, who experienced war related events, were significantly more likely to have affective disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), compared with the four males (none asylum seekers), who were significantly more likely to have conduct and substance misuse disorders.