Police have given a warning to those going out to New Year’s Eve parties this weekend, due to a raft of spiking incidents reported in the UK.
The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) stated that some 4,924 reports of needle and drink spiking were made to UK police forces in the 12 months to September.
Among the 800 tests carried out so far, the most common drugs detected were cocaine, ketamine and MDMA.
However, only 3% of cases were found to “contain a controlled drug which supports a spiking incident”.
Case numbers for spiking by needle or through drinks were fairly similar, at 2,581 and 2,131 respectively, and there were 212 reports were made concerning “other spiking”, such as through food and cigarettes.
Police have advised anyone who is concerned that they could have been spiked to report the incident as quickly as possible.
READ MORE: Student group launches campaign to help spot if a drink has been spiked
The NPCC’s lead for tackling violence against women and girls, Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth, said police have “increased action” against spiking through measures like having undercover detectives in bars.
She said: “Behind each of these reports is a frightened victim whose night out has turned into a nightmare.
“I know from talking to victims of spiking how utterly terrifying it can be.
“Police forces have increased action against spiking, with uniformed and covert operations in bars and clubs, working alongside venues to prevent and investigate spiking.”
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