Harrogate nightclub industry 'determined to help people feel safe'
The owner of Viper Rooms has been speaking as discussions continue over whether stronger checks need to be made for visitors.
The owner of a Harrogate nightclub has told us the industry's determined to help visitors feel safe when on nights out.
It's as discussions are in place to have mandatory checks before being allowed into venues after a rise in reports of spiking by injections.
Concerns over spiking led to a recent movement by the 'Big Night In' group across the UK, who planned boycotts of nightclubs and bars to raise awareness about the issue.
Paul Kinsey - the owner of Viper Rooms in Harrogate - says they have strict rules in place if they think someone is at risk:
"If anybody is spotted that we think might be acting out of the ordinary they'll be focused on pretty quickly, searched and removed from the venue if we think there's a problem.
"We've had detailed protocols in place where we have first aiders in every site. We have all our toilets manned, which reduces dramatically the ability of any dealers to enter the venues.
"If we think anybody is drunk, they're not allowed to leave with anybody who is not clearly identified as a friend or a partner. We've always had this in place because whilst spiking's been the flagship if you like, women's safety in general is a bigger issue".
Paul says if someone feels unwell, they should get checked over by one of the club's first aiders:
"Drug tests so if anybody thinks they've been spiked we can give them an oral swab, where within 10 minutes we can find out if any drugs have been taken - and if so which of the 10 likely drugs it is".