Norfolk Police unveil plans to tackle drinks spiking
Eight cases have been reported and some are planning to boycott bars and clubs.
Norfolk Police have unveiled plans to tackle drinks spiking on nights outs.
They centre around working with bars and clubs, raising awareness amongst the general public and working swiftly to thoroughly investigate reported cases.
It comes after eight cases have been reported to the police this month and some are planning to boycott bars and clubs at the start of November, due to safety concerns.
In some areas of the country there have also been reports of people being 'spiked by injection'.
Chief inspector Ed Brown, who's leading the Police's response in Norfolk told us that working with clubs and bars is so important: "We need to be able to secure witnesses, get CCTV, know who's been in the club and what contact the victims has had in the clubs. If we get all those things we can knit that all together, get a suspect and hopefully get a prosecution. I think that will help send out the message that, it won't be tolerated, its completely unacceptable and we're doing something about it".
He went on to say that it's important that clubs and bars put stronger measures in place, if needed: "If the situation worsens we will reconsider and see what other resources we can put into it. There are a number of different things you could consider as a bar to make your premise safer.
"These include looking at CCTV, lighting and the scan-net system that people use, to see who's gone into a club. So everyone can be secure as to who's in that club".
He also said that the public are key to improving venues safety: "If bars and clubs respond to this by listening to their customers and think what do they want? Do they want that extra-level of re-assurance, by us patting them down when they go in?
"Is that going to reduce the likelihood of somebody bringing something into a club that they shouldn't have? If that's the case, I'm all for that".
He concluded by giving assurances that Norfolk remains a safe place to go out in, but people must be careful: "My message to people is, obviously be vigilant and look out for people behaving suspiciously in clubs.
"But actually, you can still come out in Norwich and Norfolk to the bars and clubs and have a good time. The most important thing is, look out for people and yourselves."
Students in Norwich are planning to join the national 'Girls Night In' movement by boycotting bars and clubs in the city on November 4th.