Students warned over freshers' weeks drink spiking

Police in Hampshire have worked with bars, clubs and universities to raise awareness of spiking

Students returning to university have been warned about the dangers of drink spiking.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said there had been a fall in the number of reported incidents of spiking over the past three years but the issue was still concerning for new and returning students.

The force said it was working with universities, bars and clubs to raise awareness of the dangers of spiking and how to help victims.

It has urged students to remain cautious about leaving drinks unattended or accepting one from a stranger.

Hampshire police dealt with 91 cases of drink spiking between August and December last year, compared with 212 during the same period in 2021.

Southampton had the highest number of reports - 29, down from 71 in 2021.

There will be an increased police presence around student accommodation and around bars and clubs in Southampton, Portsmouth and Winchester, as students attend freshers' week events at the start of the new term.

'Speak up'

Ch Supt Clare Jenkins, said drink spiking could have "devastating consequences".

She said: "We are committed to identifying and relentlessly pursuing perpetrators, especially those who purposely set out to target and cause intentional harm.

“We are making a plea for members of the public not to be a bystander to any suspected spiking incidents, whether that be involving a woman or a man, make a conscious decision to speak up and out."

Officers will continue to use multi-drug urine test kits, which give an immediate reading if someone has been spiked.

Spiking is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into another person’s drink or body without their consent or knowledge.

The common symptoms associated with someone having been spiked include confusion, lack of coordination, slurred speech, nausea, hallucinations, vomiting, paranoia and unconsciousness.

How to help a friend who you think has had their drink spiked

• Tell a bar manager, bouncer or member of staff

• Stay with them and keep talking to them

• Call an ambulance if their condition deteriorates

• Don't let them go home on their own

• Don't let them leave the venue with someone you don't know or trust

• If possible, try to prevent them drinking more alcohol as this could lead to more serious problems

• (Source: Drinkaware)