Police dogs to sniff out drugs used to spike drinks

Spiking is the action of putting something into someone's drink without their consent

A police force is training dogs to identify drugs associated with drink spiking.

Thames Valley Police said its pilot scheme would involve dogs that can already track down cash, explosives and sim cards.

"This is a relatively new tactic that we are developing each time our dogs conduct training or go out and about," said Det Supt Jon Capps, the force's head of rape and sexual offences.

Spiking is the action of putting a drug into someone's drink, or into their body through another method, without their consent.

Thames Valley Police will train dogs to detect drugs associated with spiking

The force said the dogs involved - Police Dog (PD) Atlas and PD Major - were drugs specialists and often joined both uniformed and plain clothes officers on patrol outside nightclubs, bars and pubs.

Det Supt Capps said: "Together, they target and disrupt those in the area looking to cause harm, so that everyone can enjoy their night out safely.

"These dogs are proving popular with those on a night out, but they are just one tool in our approach to tackling drink spiking and violence against women and girls," he added.

To reduce the risk of being spiked, safety charities have 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.