What is the new law that UK is considering on drink spiking? Why now?

Don’t leave your drink unattended, as it could be spiked. It’s a warning that we are all aware of. However, drink spiking, the act where drugs are unknowingly added to a person’s drink continues to be a common occurrence that is rampant across the world, with most of the perpetrators going scot-free.

However, the United Kingdom is now recognising the dangers of this act with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office announcing on Sunday (November 24) that spiking a drink will become a new stand-alone criminal offence, in order to crack down on violence against women and girls.

“My government was elected on a pledge to take back our streets, and we will never achieve this if women and girls do not feel safe at night,” Starmer said in a statement on Sunday.

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“Cracking down on spiking is central to that mission.”

UK’s crackdown on spiking drinks

On Monday, UK PM Starmer will meet with police chiefs, industry executives and transport bosses in Downing Street to discuss the issue of women’s safety in the country, focusing on drink spiking.

Starmer hopes to bring a new law on the issue, noting that it has been difficult for victims of this crime to come forward and it’s been even harder to prosecute. “We must do more to bring the vile perpetrators who carry out this cowardly act, usually against young women and often to commit a sexual offence, to justice,” he said.

The new offence will “send a clear signal that this is a crime, and perpetrators should feel the full force of the law”.

While it isn’t clear when the new law may take effect, ministers are working to push it forward as soon as possible, with some hoping for it to become reality by December. Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, and Dame Diana Johnson, the new policing minister, have extended their support to this law.

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The proposed law is also setting aside £250,000 (Rs 2.64 crore) to pay for the training of 10,000 workers in the hospitality industry to spot drink spiking and deal with such situations.

Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of UKHospitality told The Telegraph that the training would include ensuring staff was made aware of the dangers of spiking so that when a person presented at a club, pub or bar apparently drunk, they were aware of the warning signs and could discretely and appropriately question them to establish any vulnerability. Furthermore, staff would be trained to ensure potential victims were properly supported and taken to a safe space within a club, bar or pub, not separated from their friends and, if necessary, the police or other relevant authorities contacted.

Rise of drink spiking in UK

Emphasising the need to make drink spiking a standalone offence, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Spiking is a disturbing and serious crime which can have a damaging and long-lasting impact on victims.

“People shouldn’t have to worry about the safety of their drinks on a night out. These changes are about giving victims greater confidence to come forward, and ensuring that there is a robust response from the police whenever this appalling crime takes place”.

Officials note that cases of drink spiking in the UK have risen steadily over the years. What’s worse is that this crime goes largely unreported in the country.

According to Home Office data, the police received 6,732 reports of spiking in the year ending April 2023 of which 957 related to needle spiking. Additionally, most spiking incidents – 80 per cent – happen in public places, especially places where people go to enjoy themselves at night.

A study by Drinkaware Monitor, a UK-wide representative survey looking at drinking behaviours and attitudes, also revealed that 2.2 per cent of respondents reported having their drinks spiked in the previous 12 months, which is equivalent to around 1.2 million adults every year in the UK. The same study also found that 90 per cent of people don’t contact the police after being spiked, with around half of those saying it’s because they “don’t see the point.”

According to a Channel 4 analysis, there were 20,000 reports of spiking made between 2018 and 2022. However, what was even more stunning was the lack of prosecution. The rate of investigation and prosecution dropped from one in 25 in 2018 to one in 400 in 2022. There were just 54 cases where a suspect was arrested and referred to the Crown Prosecution Service, reported Channel 4.

Dangers of spiking drinks

Many of those who have fallen victim to drink spiking have spoken of the trauma they have suffered. For instance, Stephen Hart, the London ambassador for the charity Stamp Out Spiking, has spoken of his traumatic experience. He told BBC it “felt like I closed my eyes for a second” in a bar before waking covered in blood.

“I had been out with a friend at a bar in north London. It was a simple, normal night and my friend had to leave early because his girlfriend had phoned. I stayed to finish my drink and I was just minding my own business.”

He added that he later felt dizzy and confused, before being “woken up by the sun shining” through the window. He said his clothes were bloody and that he was later diagnosed with HIV.

Many others say that drink spiking has also changed their habits, with some even paranoid about drinking in public.

Activists and campaigners say that authorities, including the police, need to take drink spiking more seriously. Moreover, training is essential for bar staff, door staff, bus drivers, taxi drivers: people who could recognise the symptoms and take action because you may not be able to.

And friends should look after each other on nights out, ensuring no drink is left unattended, and that we know the signs of spiking.

With inputs from agencies