Students off to university in Lincoln urged to plan how to react if they're spiked on night out
Police warn that going out in a new city with new people can leave some students vulnerable.
Students heading off to university in Lincoln are urged to make plans on how to react if they're spiked on a night out.
Police warn that going out in a new city with new people can leave some students vulnerable.
Spiking is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into another person’s drink or body without their consent or knowledge.
People can also be victims of ‘needle spiking’, which is injecting someone with drugs without their consent.
Spiking someone could be several criminal offences, which can carry sentences of up to ten years in prison; even when no other offence, like theft or assault, has happened.
Superintendent Phil Baker for Lincolnshire police said: “Just think about what you are drinking and don’t leave your drink unattended.
“Think about your surroundings and how to keep yourself safe and listen to the advice that has been given to you.
“If you experience people, whose behaviours attitudes and behaviour are a concern then consider how you can intervene but do it safely without putting yourself at risk"
“Please, please, please be that upstander not just a bystander"
“If you believe you may have been spiked, speak to the bars and clubs you’re in. They’ve all been briefed and know what to do.”
Lincolnshire Police are also encouraging new students to use the ‘Ask for Angela’ non-profit scheme that aims to ensure that anyone who is feeling vulnerable or unsafe can get support.
The scheme works by training staff in vulnerability management and what to do when someone Asks for Angela on a night out, on a date, meeting friends or other potentially dangerous situations.
SI Baker said: “If you are feeling unsafe on a night out, you can speak to bar staff and ask for Angela they are trained to remove you from that situation and keep you safe.”
For more information - https://askforangela.co.uk/
More information on spiking can be found here
More Lincolnshire Police services and campaigns aimed at new students
#GetConsent
The #GetConsent campaign is in partnership with Rape Crisis, Victim Support, Spring Lodge, the University of Lincoln and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC).
It aims to engage on the importance of being 100% clear on consent and the need for each person to have the freedom and capacity to agree to sexual activity.
For more information visit - https://www.lincs.police.uk/police-forces/lincolnshire-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/do-you-get-consent/
StreetSafe
StreetSafe is a national service for anyone to anonymously tell authorities about public places where they have felt unsafe.
It’s part of the government’s agenda to tackle violence against women and girls.
For more information visit - https://www.lincs.police.uk/news/lincolnshire/news/2022/may-2022/streetsafe/
You're right, that's wrong.
The ‘You’re right, that’s wrong’ campaign calls on men to act when they see or hear public place harassment towards women or misogynistic attitudes.
The campaign asks men to consider when a friend’s actions cross the line.
For more information visit - https://www.lincs.police.uk/news/lincolnshire/news/2023/mar-2023/youre-right-thats-wrong/