Police call for stricter laws on spiking

West Midlands Police has written to the government calling for tighter laws on spiking

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner has called for stricter laws on spiking offences to ensure offenders are more effectively punished.

Labour PCC Simon Foster said the current Crime and Policing Bill could see offenders justify their actions as a prank to avoid conviction.

Along with local victims' advocate Natalie Queiroz MBE, he has now written to the government asking for the provisions in the bill that deal with spiking to be amended and remove this risk.

In a response sent to the BBC, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "The Crime and Policing Bill makes it clear - spiking someone's drink 'for a laugh' is no joke."

They continued: "Prosecutors can show that even so-called pranks are meant to upset victims, which is exactly what the law covers."

Spiking is a crime which involves giving someone alcohol or drugs without their knowledge or permission through ways such as slipping substances into drinks or injecting them with a needle.

The letter has been sent to Home Secretary Yvette Coper, Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones and Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It states the change would remove any doubt around reckless behaviour and ensure perpetrators cannot try and justify their actions, by claiming it was a prank.