Spiking warning for students across South East

Spiking is not just limited to alcoholic drinks, warned police

Students at universities across the South East have been warned about the dangers of spiking as the new academic year starts.

As part of an anti-spiking week, police and charities want to raise awareness about the issue and ensure students take steps to protect themselves and others.

Helena Conibear, CEO at the safety charity Talk About Trust, advised party-goers to keep their drinks covered, stay with trusted friends and ensure they get home safely, and not to accept drinks from strangers.

She said people thought spiking was "mainly of alcoholic drinks and conducted by strangers in pubs, clubs and nightclubs" but the issue was "much, much broader than that".

Spiking can happen 'anywhere'

Spiking can take place "anywhere", she continued, including house parties and private premises.

"It's a much more prevalent and widespread issue than perhaps people might realise," Ms Conibear added.

Sussex Police cautioned that vapes containing the drug spice or other illicit substances, food and even chewing gum could be used for spiking.

Symptoms can include memory loss, confusion, loss of ability to communicate and hallucinations, officers say.

Spiking is illegal under separate laws, according to police. It is not a specific offence, however.

Staying in a group can help prevent spiking, charities have advised

Det Supt Andrew Harbour at Sussex Police said the force took the issue "incredibly seriously" and would "bring offenders to justice".

Although he said the county had seen a "downward trend" of spiking offences, Mr Harbour said some incidents were not being reported.

That was partially down to "trust and confidence" in police, but also because people did not realise when they had been spiked, he added.

Stamp Out Spiking, an anti-spiking charity, estimates 90% of victims do not report the crime.

'Never think it's your fault'

Kent Police said the force had given out drink toppers and put extra officers on the streets in preparation for more than 40,000 students arriving in Canterbury and Medway for the new academic year.

Meanwhile, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said officers from across Sussex and Surrey had training in place to identify spiking, help victims, and prevent it from happening.

While Ms Conibear wanted students to go out and have a "magical time", she urged people to go to the police if they believed they had been spiked, even if it was days after the incident.

"Never think it's your fault, even if perhaps that person has drunk too much or taken another substance. It is the perpetrator who is absolutely at fault," she added.