Police told to clamp down on ‘syringe spiking’

PRITI PATEL, the Home Secretary, has asked police chiefs to urgently assess the scale of the problem of women being “spiked by injection” after a spate of reported incidents.

It is feared victims are being surreptitiously injected with an unknown substance that makes them vulnerable to unwanted sexual advances or assault.

At least three police forces are conducting investigations into alleged incidents and one man in his 20s has been arrested by Nottinghamshire Police.

Such is the growing level of concern about the reports that some women have resorted to wearing denim on nights out because the thicker material is more difficult to pierce with a needle.

Others are urging a boycott of pubs and clubs in order to raise awareness of the issue and encourage better protective measures inside venues.

While the threat of spiking drinks with drugs has long been recognised, accounts from women have recently appeared on social media of being stabbed with a syringe. Police forces have said they are investigating a small number of reports.

Sarah Crew, the temporary Chief Constable for Avon and Somerset Police, has told MPS on the home affairs select committee it was a “fair assumption there may be a sexual motive” in such cases.

Ms Patel has asked police chiefs for an urgent update on the scale of the problem and is also demanding to know what is being done to protect women.

A source said: “This is absolutely awful. We have asked for an update from the police on this and would encourage anyone to report this behaviour to the police.”

Earlier this week, Zara Owen, a Nottingham University student, disclosed that she had contacted police after experiencing a blackout following a night out. When she awoke she discovered a suspect pinprick on her leg. Nottinghamshire Police confirmed they had received several reports of spiking in recent months and had arrested a man as part of a wider operation.

Police Scotland said detectives were investigating reports of people being spiked in bars and clubs. And West Yorkshire Police said they had received one report of spiking by injection, which they were investigating.

Supt Craner said forces were introducing a number of initiatives to “apprehend perpetrators and capture evidence”. She said that if anyone is caught they will face prosecution for assault, as well as for administering substances with sexual intent.

Deputy Chief Constable Jason Harwin, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for drugs, said: “A number of police are investigating reports of spiking by injection. We are engaging with those police forces to understand the scale the issue, whether there is any link between the allegations they are investigating and to consider any further action.”

‘This is absolutely awful. We’ve asked for an update from the police and would encourage anyone to report this behaviour’