Police probe needle spike claims in city
A CITY centre entertainment boss has labelled reports of ‘needle spiking’ a ‘heinous, crime’ and has urged victims to report incidents.
Mike Olley, who runs the Westside Business Improvement District (BID) covering Broad Street, spoke out following an increase in reports of so-called needle spiking.
West Midlands Police are now looking into a report a woman was ‘spiked by injection’.
The force said it was unclear exactly what happened.
Mr Olley said: “Any threat, any crime and disorder which threatens women or anyone is something we are hot on.
“We want people to come into the city and have a good night out – not have memories like that.
“We do an awful lot to keep the lid on matters. The media coverage has heightened everyone’s concerns about this and I can give an assurance that every person who works here is tuned into this.
“There have been no reports recently or in the 17 years I have been here.
“We are not ignoring it, we are sharp on this one. If it is going on we need to know about it and the authorities need to know about it.
“It is quite right the Home Secretary asked police forces to get the figures. This is a heinous, crime and has got to be dealt with.”
A Birmingham-based university student who had her drink spiked in a nightclub was among a ‘small number’ of reports from the city, police said.
Women have taken to social media to voice their fears after a University of Nottingham student blacked out after reporting being spiked by injection.
Now students have been urged to download a personal safety alarm, pinpoint a safe space to meet up with friends if separated and dial 999 to report suspicious behaviour.