National week of action on spiking
Spiking is under the policing spotlight this week, 16 – 22 September, with the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) leading a nationwide policing week of action focusing on preventing spiking in the night time economy and improving police investigations into spiking cases, coinciding with the start of university freshers weeks across the country.
In the Thames Valley, the intensification week will see extra Project Vigilant patrols, police engagement with licensed premises to encourage them to run Ask for Angela training amongst their staff and the promotion of spiking prevention advice and the importance of early reporting.
Project Vigilant uses a combination of uniformed and plain clothed officers to carry out patrols in areas outside nightclubs, bars and pubs, to identify people who may be displaying signs of predatory behaviour through bespoke observation training.
Ask for Angela is a national initiative which provides support to people on a night out who find themselves in situations that are unsafe or make them feel uncomfortable. By asking for Angela, staff in participating venues will seek to discreetly remove individuals from these situations.
Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, said: “Being spiked can be a frightening experience and can make victims vulnerable to other crimes. I recently joined a Project Vigilant deployment in Newbury, witnessing first-hand how this pioneering approach is working to disrupt predatory behaviour and help prevent sexual violence in our night time economy.
“Intensification weeks such as this week’s on spiking are important in bringing operational focus to certain crimes, but creating safer spaces in our night time economy and tackling Violence Against Women and Girls is a year-round priority for Thames Valley Police.
“Year-round support is also available for victims of all types of VAWG, including spiking, via my Victims First service. Help is free and can be accessed regardless of when the crime was committed or whether it was reported to the police.
“I would encourage anyone in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire or Milton Keynes needing support to contact our team of specially trained advisors on 0300 1234 148.”
Spiking is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into another person’s drink or their body without their knowledge and/or consent. It can also occur via needles, vapes or cigarettes and food.
The effects of spiking will depend on the substance consumed but common signs include a sudden change in behaviour (seeming extremely intoxicated very quickly), dizziness or loss of balance, difficulty concentrating or talking, confusion, blurred vision and nausea or vomiting.
The best precaution people can take to protect themselves from drink spiking is to never leave a drink unattended and to not accept drinks from strangers.
The drugs used to spike victims pass through the system quickly so early reporting and testing is key. If you have been a victim of spiking, report it to the police straightaway. If a crime is in progress call 999, otherwise report the incident via 101 or online at www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/report-spiking/v2/report-spiking/
Don’t let the fact that you might have illegal drugs in your system stop you from reporting. It is not an offence to have illegal drugs in your system, unless you’re driving, and the police will want to safeguard you and maximise the chance of capturing critical evidence.
