Anti-Spiking Intensification Week 2024

You have the right to know what is in your drink – help stop spiking in North Yorkshire

Drink spiking is the process of adding an additional substance, such as drugs or alcohol, to someone’s drink without their knowledge or permission.

This is a hugely under-reported problem which affects a variety of people, usually taking place in busy places where drinks are consumed. These include nightclubs, pubs, bars, restaurants, sporting events and parties but, it can happen anywhere there is an offender.

It is a common misconception only alcoholic drinks are spiked. In fact, an offender can spike any drink, alcoholic or not. A sexual link is often also assumed by many, but again, this is not always the case.

Spiking is a crime. Even if the offender does not plan on personally harming the victim or taking their property, a crime has been committed and the implications could harm the victim in other ways.

These include:

• What if the victim got behind the wheel of a car without realising, they had been spiked? Their life and others have bene put at risk
• What if the victim was taking medication and by consuming alcohol or drugs this was affected? Again, potentially putting their life at risk
• What if the victim was to undergo a medical/drug or alcohol test at work or for other reasons and their drink had been spiked?

If convicted of spiking you could receive a ten-year prison sentence for those offences alone, if you go on to commit further offences this could be significantly higher.

A lot of people may not realise they have been a victim of spiking. There are many reasons for this, they may think they have drunk more than they thought, or are unwell, but the truth is they are the victim of a very serious offence.

If you think your drink may have been spiked you are likely to feel the effects quickly, so, if possible, tell someone you trust immediately. If you require emergency help, and can, call 999.

If someone has told you they believe they have been spiked, whether you know them or not, it is important you raise the alarm. Speak with a member of bar staff, steward or door supervisor in the first instance or call 999 if urgent medical attention is required. Please report the offence to police so a full investigation can be carried out.

If you spot someone acting suspiciously in a crowded area, such as the ones mentioned above, please report this. You can speak with a member of bar staff, steward or door supervisor. If a crime has been committed or a police response is required, please call police.

Spiking has no place in North Yorkshire and we will do all we can to bring those who commit these horrific offences to justice.