North Yorkshire Police launch spiking awareness drive
It's to coincide with Freshers week at the University of York
Last updated 15th Sep 2025
As thousands of students arrive in North Yorkshire for the start of the academic year, the police have launched a major safety campaign aimed at tackling the issue of drink and drug spiking.
Coinciding with Freshers’ Week (15–21 September 2025), Spiking Intensification Week is now underway across the region. It’s part of a national crackdown to raise awareness and support victims – with a strong focus on preventing spiking incidents in the student night-time economy.
Inspector Andy Godfrey, from North Yorkshire Police’s Local Policing Support and the force’s Tactical Lead for Operation Lester, said: “Spiking is a sickening crime which can have significant and traumatic impact on victims and leave them feeling unsafe for many years.
“It is a complex and challenging offence to investigate. Drugs pass through the system quickly, which is why early reporting and testing is so important.
“Between May 2022 and April 2023, the police nationally received 6,732 reports of spiking.
“However, we believe it is an under-reported crime, and more data is required to give a truer sense of the issue.
“To be clear, spiking is not always linked to sexual assaults. But whatever the intention, the outcome is leaving women in particular feeling vulnerable and unsafe when on a night out.
“This situation is unacceptable and that’s why North Yorkshire Police and other forces from around the country are focused on tackling spiking.”
Insp Godfrey added: “Through close coordination with our Licensing Team, Community Safety Hubs, the Alcohol Education Trust, and representatives from universities and colleges in our area, we are working proactively within the night-time economy to raise awareness of spiking and preventing it.
“The Licensing Team is also conducting ‘secret shopper’ activity in licensed premises to check venues’ procedures around spiking and vulnerability, including the ‘Ask for Angela’ advice given to victims to seek help from bar and security staff to escape from potentially threatening situations.
“We are also deploying covert tactics to detect and deter predatory behaviour and safeguard victims from harm.”
Where to get support
Spiking-related sexual offences
If you think you have been spiked and sexually assaulted but feel unable to report it to the police, North Yorkshire police encourage you to visit North Yorkshire’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) on 0330 223 0362 or visit www.acerhousesarc.co.uk.
You can also contact Supporting Victims in North Yorkshire at supportingvictims.org or call 01609 643100.