Spiking training key for safety, says bar owner

Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, centre, visited Nortons Digbeth to talk about spiking ahead of the Christmas party season

Training staff at his bar about how to spot and deal with spiking is a priority to keep customers safe during the Christmas party season, its owner says.

Peter Connolly, who runs Nortons Digbeth, an Irish pub and music venue, said his 32 staff would be trained by the end of the week.

“Everyone looks out for each other here. So it’s just part and parcel of providing that service,” Mr Connolly said.

“We really prioritise keeping our customers safe.”

Tackling spiking is on the government’s agenda this week as the festive party season approaches.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met police chiefs, hospitality bosses and transport leaders at Downing Street on Monday to co-ordinate action against such attacks.

Mr Connolly’s staff at the Digbeth bar will do an online course in spiking awareness.

He said he did not think spiking had taken place at his venue but people who work for him still had to know what to do in case it did happen.

“Someone could be spiked before they come to your premises and then react while they’re on your site," he added.

Jess Phillips, safeguarding minister and MP for Birmingham Yardley, was also at Nortons on Monday to talk about the government’s actions on tackling spiking.

She encouraged people to use new online tools that allow people to report such attacks to the police.

Phillips added that bystanders should be prepared to step in and help women who appeared at risk of spiking during the Christmas party season.