- Spiking to become a new criminal offence with up to 10-year prison term
- Hundreds of venue staff trained to spot and prevent attacks in first week of new national training programme
- Measures to be included in the government’s landmark Crime and Policing Bill, to be introduced next week
Partygoers enjoying a night out will be better protected from spiking under new laws and a nationwide training programme for bar staff to tackle the crime.
In a move to better protect victims of these cowardly crimes, the government announced today that perpetrators will face up to 10 years behind bars under a new criminal offence to be introduced through the Crime and Policing Bill next week
The new offence will send a clear message that anyone carrying out these vile acts will face the full force of the law, giving victims the confidence to come forward in the knowledge that these crimes will be treated with the seriousness they deserve. The move is being backed up by a new nationwide training programme for staff in the nighttime economy.
Hundreds of bar staff across 104 venues in England and Wales have already completed vital spiking training within days of the programme launching last week, with thousands more signed up to start in the coming weeks. The £250,000 government-funded programme teaches venue staff how to spot warning signs of spiking crimes, prevent incidents and gather evidence. It aims to train 10,000 staff at pubs, clubs and bars for free by April 2025.
The government’s tough new approach strengthens how we prevent, detect, and respond to spiking – building victim confidence to report these crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice.
The changes being brought in as part of the Crime and Policing Bill will support the delivery of the Government’s Plan for Change and Safer Streets Mission to halve knife crime and violence against women and girls in a decade. The aim is to support neighbourhood policing and give the police the powers they need to tackle anti-social behaviour, crime, and terrorism, whilst introducing reforms to ensure that law enforcement agencies perform to the highest standards expected by the public and focus on front-line policing.
Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips, said:
“Every time I speak to survivors of spiking, I hear how these cruel attacks have shattered their confidence and stolen their sense of safety.
“Within days of launching our training programme, hundreds of venues are already equipping their staff with the skills to spot and stop these attacks. Backed by clear new legislation in the Crime and Policing Bill, our message to perpetrators is clear – we will catch you and you will face justice.
“No one should live in fear of having their drink spiked on a night out and these measures mark a crucial step in tackling spiking and delivering our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.”
During her recent visit to Thames Valley Police, the Minister saw first-hand the force’s innovative pilot of specially trained spiking sniffer dogs. These specialist dogs are being trialled as a preventative measure, patrolling nightlife areas with plain-clothes officers to intercept those carrying banned substances before they enter pubs, bars and clubs. If the pilot is successful, the dogs will be able to detect even trace amounts of common spiking substances like GHB and MDMA, including when diluted in drinks – providing vital evidence for investigations.
The Minister also learnt about Thames Valley Police’s ground-breaking initiative, Project Vigilant, which enables specially trained officers to identify and intervene against predatory behaviours in the night-time economy.
Halving violence against women and girls remains a top priority for this government, and we will use every lever across government, policing and the VAWG sector to achieve this mission and create a safe night out for everyone.
Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls, Alex Davies-Jones, said:
“No one should feel afraid to go out at night. No one should have to take extreme precautions to keep themselves safe when they do.
“To perpetrators, my message is clear: spiking is vile and illegal and we will stop you.
“To victims or those at risk, we want you to know: the law is on your side. Come forward and help us catch these criminals.”
Partners in the anti-spiking and night-time economy space have also welcomed today’s update.
Colin Mackie, Founder, Spike Aware UK, said:
“Spike Aware UK are delighted with the steps being taken by the government to combat spiking. With the new Crime and Policing Bill being introduced, it should give victims the confidence to come forward and report any instances of spiking, in the safe knowledge that police will be doing their upmost to bring perpetrators to justice. It has been really interesting to witness the new measures that Thames Valley Police are using to detect substances.
“As well as the new offence being introduced, a new training programme for bar staff was rolled out last week. This sees the foundations being laid, to ensure venues are a safe environment, for their customers and that spiking will not be tolerated in any form.
“For too long we at Spike Aware UK have been telling people how to protect themselves from spikers, it’s now time to go on the offensive. Spiking can happen anywhere, but these new initiatives are the first steps to making it socially unacceptable and we urge anyone that suspects or sees it happening, not to remain silent.”
Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, said:
“The Night Time Industries Association welcomes the measures outlined in the Crime and Policing Bill aimed at enhancing safety on our streets and addressing knife crime, antisocial behaviour, particularly concerning young people, women, and girls. The introduction of a new criminal offence for spiking is a necessary step to combat this cowardly act and empower victims to come forward.
“Training for staff in the nighttime economy is crucial for identifying and preventing incidents, ensuring that patrons can enjoy their nights out without fear. Additionally, increasing police presence on the street within the evening and night-time economy will enhance public confidence and deter potential offenders.
“A coordinated effort among key stakeholders including the police, industry leaders, and transport providers is essential for creating a safer environment. We look forward to seeing these measures implemented and their positive impact on our communities.”
