25/1/2008

It was reported today that 13 young people in Bridgend have committed suicide in the past year and not seven as previously thought.

South Wales police said tonight: "We will be reviewing the circumstances surrounding a number of sudden deaths in the Bridgend area. At this stage we are not confirming the number or further details.

"We are not reinvestigating the deaths but we are looking at any possible links between them. We have no evidence to suggest there is any link between the deaths at this time.

"To date there is no evidence of a suicide pact and that theory did not come from the police. At this stage we have not established any link that is common to all.

"The only death we are currently actively investigating is the death of a 17 year old girl who died in Blaengarw on Thursday, January 17 and we are preparing a file for the coroner."

Phillip Walters, Coroner for Bridgend and Glamorgan Valleys, has said that in an 11-month period in 2006 he was seeing one case of suicide a week.

Following publicity about the seven deaths, thought to be linked to the Bebo web site, it is reported that a dozen local schoolgirls have told their teachers they were considering suicide.

Today a special taskforce began an inquiry into the recent suicides as it was learned that another teenager attempted to hang herself last week.

The taskforce, which includes police, children's services and mental health experts, is examining dozens of apparently copycat suicides by young people in Bridgend since 2004.

Coroner Mr Walters said he would be looking at web sites for any clues as to how they might have encouraged people to take their own lives. "In the meantime, I want to warn youngsters about the possible dangers these web sites can pose.

"I would also like to warn parents to be actively on the alert for signs of their children being influenced by others on these sites."

Sara Reid, assistant children's commissioner for Wales, says urgent action is needed to tackle the "disturbing" suicide rate among young people in Wales.

She called for more counselling services in schools and a helpline for parents worried about their children.

The suicide rate among 11-17 year olds in Wales, although small, is five times higher than in England. Two boys have apparently killed themselves in Wales in the last month.

Senior psychology lecturer Clare O'Connell told the BBC there were classic symptoms for parents and teachers to watch for if they were worried a young person was considering suicide. They included "excessive risk taking" and a "preoccupation with death and dying", she said.

But she said the most important point was not to dismiss "suicidal talk" in young people.

"Most people who commit suicide have already talked about it - you should take notice and listen," she said.