New spiking clampdown as Tories look at 'long overdue' changes to law
Pub and club staff will be trained to spot signs of drink spiking as ministers look at "long overdue" changes to the law.
The Home Office has announced it is investigating new test kits to help identify whether a drink has been spiked before it's too late. Those convicted can already be jailed for up to 10 years, but the Government faces calls for tougher action.
At the moment there is no single, dedicated offence to prosecute people responsible for spiking. Nearly 5,000 cases of needle and drink spiking incidents were reported to police in the year to September 2022 - the latest figures available.
Ministers have announced new funding for testing kit research and training for door staff to tackle spiking in the build up to Christmas.
The latest measures come amid plans to update laws to make it easier to identify criminals. The Government is under intense pressure to make spiking a specific offence, but has yet to do so, saying this isn't needed.
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Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "Spiking is a perverse crime which can have a lasting impact on victims. Our comprehensive new measures are designed to help police and staff in bars, restaurants, pubs and other premises to protect victims and bring more offenders to justice."
The Government says it plans to beef up the Criminal Justice Bill and update the Offences Against The Person Act to make it clear that spiking is illegal. Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "Stronger measures are welcome but action on spiking is long overdue.
"Labour has been calling for a standalone spiking offence to make it much easier to get action against dangerous perpetrators, and we need more prevention work in clubs, pubs and bars as well as getting the criminal justice system to take this much more seriously."
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