Rates of sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis have grown in Bromley over the last four years, according to a new report.

The new statistics come after an assessment of sexual health in the borough, which will be presented to members of Bromley Council’s health and wellbeing board later this month.

While overall rates of STI diagnosis in the borough have dropped, rates for three strains have grown.

The figures show that Bromley now ranks as the 51st highest for Syphilis infections out of 326 other local authorities in England, while it is ranked 64th in the country for gonorrhoea.

The news is based off figures collected in the borough that show that rates of gonorrhoea (a 71.2 per cent increase) and syphilis (27.4 per cent increase) jumped from 2014 to 2018.

“It should be noted that if high rates of gonorrhoea and syphilis are observed in a population, this reflects high levels of risky sexual behaviour,” the report states.

Rates of chlamydia diagnosis increased three per cent in that time.

While the increases in those three infections is attention-grabbing, the report states that Bromley has a lower rate than London for five STIs – including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital herpes, genital warts and syphilis.

While rates within Bromley have jumped for some infections, it has dropped in the same time for genital herpes (down by 11.5 per cent) and genital warts (down 36.3 per cent).

The overall rate of new STIs being diagnosed in the borough dropped by 15.1 per cent over the four years.

The report looks to pinpoint vulnerable and at-risk groups and identify ways the local authority can help.

It identifies that, given the rise in both gonorrhoea and syphilis, “continued efforts will need to be made to target those at risk populations, especially young people and MSM (Men who have Sex with Men)”.

Any strategies would have to consider the most at-risk group – that being young people between 15-24 years old and “especially young men”.

“Both prevention and service provision needs to be tailored to specific groups

who are at high risk of poor sexual and/or reproductive health. Vulnerable

individuals need to be identified and counselled,”  the report states.

The board will meet on January 30.