nd over the course of this research, with just one small drop in activity evident in phase five. While increases over the early years of the project may be attributed to developing recording practices, increases in recent years are likely indicative of greater activity at the first point of contact. SP9 data show initial contacts across England 41 topped three million in the year ending 31 March 2024, up 8% on phase eight of the SP research. Figure 10: Initial contacts received in the period Source: SP9 respondents. The England number is extrapolated from 108 local authority responses based on the proportion of the England population. Contacts from all sources have grown in number, with some notable changes over time. Figure 11: Sources of initial contacts received in the period Source: SP9 respondents. The England numbers are extrapolated from 108 local authority responses based on the proportion of the England population. Police remain the single largest source of contacts throughout the series and have increased in number by 104% over the series. As a proportion of the total there has been a decrease. 1,349,042 1,746,665 2,051,273 2,324,825 2,190,049 2,395,852 2,519,393 2,766,704 3,001,339 0 500,000 1,000,000 1,500,000 2,000,000 2,500,000 3,000,000 3,500,000 2007–8 2009–10 2011–12 2013–14 2015–16 2017–18 2019–20 2021–22 2023–24 Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4 Phase 5 Phase 6 Phase 7 Phase 8 Phase 9 42 Education and health agencies have increased in number over the series by 280% and 240% respectively and increased as a proportion of all contacts as below. These increases in contacts made by partner agencies might reflect both the changes in systemic practice, procedure, or either the structure or maturity of multi-agency safeguarding arrangements as well as increased