Three ‘spiked’ women found to be drug-free

THREE women who feared they had been spiked with a needle had no drugs in their systems, police have revealed in an effort to give “peace of mind” to clubbers.

Devon and Cornwall Police received four reports from women who were partying in Exeter on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

All four said they felt unwell during their night out and feared they had been “targeted in assaults using needles or through having their drinks spiked”.

After carrying out toxicology tests, the force found three of them tested negative for anything in their system that would “suggest drinkspiking or having been drugged in another manner”.

The fourth victim was “outside the forensic window” with a blood sample taken for further testing.

Officers confirmed they are continuing to investigate the fifth case of a woman who was assaulted with a needle last Saturday.

A police spokesman said: “We hope that these clear tests will give peace of mind to these women that they were not victims of spiking, and feel reassured by the swift and thorough response from bar staff, police and medical professionals.”

Student unions, campaigners and ministers have condemned the reported surge in cases across the nation with dozens of women said to have been targeted.

Police said there have been about 140 confirmed reports in September and October of drink-spiking and 24 reports of injections. The National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for drugs, Dep Ch Const Jason Harwin, said: “There are both male and female victims, though the majority have been young women. Alleged offences have taken place at licensed premises and private parties.”

Campaigners are planning to boycott bars and clubs nationwide until further safety measures have been introduced in venues.

Nottinghamshire Police said they received 15 reports of young men and women being spiked with “something sharp” since Oct 2.