POLICE PERSPECTIVE:

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

People can also be a victim of ‘needle spiking’, which is injecting someone with drugs without their consent.

Spiking can happen to anyone, anywhere and can be carried out by strangers or people you know.

Spiking someone could come under a number of criminal offences, which can carry sentences of up to 10 years in prison; even when no other offence, like theft or assault, has happened.

The signs of being spiked

It can be difficult to tell if your drink has been spiked but if you notice any changes to the appearance or taste of your drink, stop drinking it. If you’re in a bar or club tell staff or security immediately.

If you think you or a friend have been spiked, there are a range of things to look out for, including:

• Confusion

• Nausea or vomiting

• Hallucinations and paranoia

• Disorientation or poor coordination

• Loss of ability to communicate properly

• Unconsciousness

It can be difficult to spot the symptoms as they vary depending on what you have been spiked with and can be similar to having excess alcohol. If you start to feel strange or more drunk than you think you should be, seek help straight away. If you think you’ve been spiked

If you think you or a friend has been spiked it’s important to tell someone as soon as you can.

• Alert a member of staff or security if you’re at a venue.

• Stay with your friend and keep talking to them.

• Don’t let them go home on their own or leave with someone you don’t know.

• Report to the police online, on 101 or, in an emergency, call 999.

If you or someone else have symptoms

• If you are worried call 111.

• Call an ambulance if the symptoms get worse.

• If you think there may have been a sexual assault go to your nearest sexual assault referral centre (SARC) for specialist care and support.

Letting people know gives the best chance of them looking after you and gathering any evidence where a crime may have taken place.

We know it can be scary to report being spiked, but the police are here to help you. They will listen to you and take you seriously.

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