10,000 door and bar staff to be trained to combat drink spiking

As part of a new initiative to make drink spiking a standalone criminal offense, at least 10,000 bar and door staff will undergo training to detect and respond to this crime.

The training, funded by the Home Office and set to begin next month, aims to equip staff with the skills needed to identify and address spiking incidents, with the goal of completing the program by spring. This effort responds to increasing reports of spiking, with surveys indicating that up to one in ten women have been victims.

Ministers are also calling on police forces to deploy plainclothes officers in city centers, pubs, and clubs to monitor and deter predatory sexual behavior. This tactic, already implemented by Thames Valley Police, has been adopted by 20 other forces across the country.

Today, Sir Keir Starmer will lead a summit at Downing Street with police leaders, industry representatives, and transport officials to discuss further actions to tackle spiking, particularly as the holiday season approaches.

During the summit, he will reaffirm his commitment to establishing spiking as a distinct criminal offense. Currently, such cases are prosecuted under the Offences Against the Person Act or as assault but not as a separate crime. Ministers argue that creating a standalone offense would improve investigation and prosecution rates while encouraging more victims to come forward.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson, who previously chaired the Home Affairs Committee in Parliament, have been long-standing advocates for this legal reform. They have proposed making spiking punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Sir Keir highlighted that addressing spiking is a key component of his Government's goal to halve violence against women and girls within the next decade.

"Victims of this appalling crime often find it incredibly difficult to report what has happened. Cases are challenging to prosecute, but we must do more to bring offenders to justice. Spiking is a cowardly act, often targeting young women and serving as a precursor to sexual assault," he said.

The Home Office will allocate £250,000 to support the training initiative, which will be delivered in partnership with the hospitality sector. Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality, will represent the industry at the Downing Street summit.

Nicholls explained that the training aims to enhance staff vigilance against spiking. Bar and door staff will be taught to recognize signs of spiking, such as individuals appearing unusually intoxicated, and to provide appropriate support. Victims will be taken to a safe space, kept with friends, and, if necessary, authorities will be contacted.

Staff will also learn to minimize risks by monitoring for suspicious behavior, clearing unattended drinks, and preserving evidence when spiking is suspected.

In the year ending April 2023, police recorded 6,732 spiking incidents. A YouGov poll conducted in December 2022 revealed that 10% of women and 5% of men had experienced spiking.

EandK

Rusholme Solicitors