Mims Davies MP welcomed the new package of measures to tackle the despicable practice of spiking, which will include research into self-testing kits, more training for door staff and better education for young people, to raise awareness about this threat.
There will also be coordinated police action to crackdown on spiking during key weeks of the year – an approach that has proved successful in tackling other crimes, such as knife crime. There will also be legislative changes which will clarify, without any doubt, that spiking is illegal. It will be backed with separate guidance, set in law, to provide a clear, unequivocal definition of what spiking is.
Alongside this, the Government will set out practical measures aimed at improving understanding of the crime and delivering better support to victims.
This includes:
- training hundreds more door staff to spot potential perpetrators and signs patrons have been victimised
- investing in research into spiking testing kits to help venues and police detect if someone’s drink has been spiked in real-time
- intensive operations run by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) to tackle spiking during key weeks across the 43 police forces in England and Wales
- an online spiking tool to be rolled out to all police forces to make it easier to anonymously report it if people fear they have been a victim of the crime
- updated statutory guidance to include spiking (s182 Licensing Act 2003)
- a spiking guidance/advice toolkit for the public that contains a range of resources and signposting for anyone who is looking for information on spiking, what it is, who is affected, how to report it, how to support victims, and which criminal offences can be used to prosecute it
- supporting the higher education regulator, the Office for Students, as they take action to make sure universities and other higher education institutions to prevent and address sexual misconduct – this will follow its consultation on the issue, expected to report back in early 2024
Commenting, Mims Davies MP said:
As a mother of two girls and a victim of spiking myself and someone who has spoken out and know the deep upset and devastation this crime causes to individuals. I greatly welcome these new measures which will help women and girls feel safer when they’re out enjoying themselves. I’m so proud of all action we are taking to protect other victims and for the immense commitment by those who have campaigned on this including Richard Graham MP, Caroline Nokes MP and Dawn from Stamp Out Spiking.
I have been determined to work with Government to deliver a change that makes a difference to women and girls and I know this will matter to those in the night time economy to in our area and across the UK so we can all enjoy a safer night out.