#SPIKED - campaigners celebrate 'monumental' changes to tackle spiking epidemic
The government has published its long awaited strategy on tackling the issue of spiking
Last updated 18th Dec 2023
Funding for testing kits and training for door staff will form part of a package ministers hope will crack down on spiking.
The measures, set out in the middle of Christmas party season, come alongside plans to modernise the law to make clear it is a crime.
It comes after we set out the current state of the UK's spiking epidemic through our #SPIKED investigation.
Ministers have come under pressure from some quarters to make needle and drink spiking a specific offence, but the announcement stops short of that demand.
New plans to tackle spiking
Instead the Home Office sets out a number of practical steps it is taking to protect women, heading into the festive partygoing season.
Alongside plans to amend the Criminal Justice Bill and update the Offences Against The Person Act 1861, officials said hundreds more door staff will be trained to spot potential perpetrators and signs of spiking.
The Government said it will also invest in research into test kits, while the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) will run "intensive operations" on key weeks across forces in England and Wales.
WATCH: VAWG activist and former Love Island star Sharon Goffka tells our investigation about the reaction to her sharing her own spiking story
Spiking is a 'perverse' crime
Throughout the year, our #SPIKED investigation has been setting out why there's been such strong demand for change - hearing from victims, campaigners, academics and senior Police figures
LISTEN: You can listen to our SPIKED documentary here
"Tackling violence against women and girls is a personal priority for me and this Government has shown time and again that we will do what is necessary to keep the public safe," Home Secretary James Cleverly said.
"Spiking is a perverse crime which can have a lasting impact on victims. Our comprehensive new measures are designed to help police and staff in bars, restaurants, pubs and other premises to protect victims and bring more offenders to justice."
'Comprehensive' new measures
The Home Office also said an online tool will be rolled out to all police forces to make anonymous reporting of suspected spiking easier, with new guidance for the public also to be published.
Following a consultation, the Government said it will also support regulator the Office for Students to take action to prevent sexual misconduct in universities and colleges.
The Home Office had already confirmed plans for separate statutory guidance that it said will provide a "clear" and "unequivocal" definition of spiking.
This is expected to take the form of an update to the guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.
Spiking is currently covered by several different areas of legislation but there is no single dedicated offence under which to prosecute perpetrators.
Government action 'long overdue'
Labour's Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said: “Labour has warned repeatedly that spiking is a dangerous and devastating crime which too often isn’t taken seriously enough.
“Stronger measures are welcome but action on spiking is long-overdue. Labour has been calling for a standalone spiking offence to make it much easier to get action against dangerous perpetrators, and we need more prevention work in clubs, pubs and bars as well as getting the criminal justice system to take this much more seriously.
“Young people, especially young women, shouldn’t ever have to worry if their drink is safe. Tackling violence against women and girls will be a driving mission for the next Labour government”.
Nearly 5,000 cases of needle and drink spiking incidents were reported to police in England and Wales in the 12 months to September 2022, according to National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) figures.
The NPCC's Samantha Millar, who works to tackle violence against women and girls, said: "Spiking is a complex and challenging offence to investigate."
She said "people should be in no doubt that spiking is an abhorrent crime and the new clarity in the legislation should drive that message home".
"We still believe that there is underreporting of spiking and so our message remains to encourage victims to report to police," she added.
'Monumental' change in the fight against spiking
The measures have been welcomed by campaigners, including the founder of Stamp Out Spiking Dawn Dines, who called it "monumental".
"I am so relieved that finally some sort of justice will be available to the survivors of this cowardly offence," she said.
Find out more about our #SPIKED investigation and where you can get support if you've been a victim