Clinical observation suggests that deliberate violence against the person is increasing in both incidence and severity in the community. Over a six-year period there was a trend towards an annual increase in the number of attendances at the Waveney Hospital as the result of assaults. A retrospective study for a six-month period (August 1987 to January 1988) defined the pattern of attendance, injuries and treatment for 284 cases. Most of the victims were young males who presented outside normal working hours with superficial injuries. Admission was required in 12% of patients.