Drink spiking: Nearly 200 incidents reported to police in two months

Almost 200 drink spiking incidents have been reported to police forces across the UK over the past two months.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said there have been 198 confirmed reports of drink spiking in September and October across various parts of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, plus 24 reports of some form of injection.

On Friday afternoon, the NPCC said there were around 140 confirmed reports of drink spiking, but this figure was revised after more data was received.

It said the number included both men and women, although the majority of cases featured young women.

Alleged offences have taken place at licensed premises and private parties.

The 198 figure is based on data received from 40 police forces, and the NPCC said it is still to receive data from five forces which it expects over the weekend.

The NPCC said 58 of the 198 reports of drink spiking were made to the Metropolitan Police.

The NPCC lead for drugs, Deputy Chief Constable Jason Harwin, said: “Clearly these reports are very concerning.

“We are working at pace with forces, law enforcement agencies such as the NCA and other partners including the Home Office and universities to understand the scale of offending, establish any links between the allegations and ultimately bring any identified offenders to justice.”

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to administer poison in connection with a spate of reported drink-spiking incidents involving needles in Nottingham.

Nottinghamshire Police said the men, aged 18 and 19, were arrested after receiving information from a member of the public on Wednesday, following a general appeal for help from a senior officer.

The force said both had been arrested “on suspicion of conspiracy to administer poison with intent to injure, annoy or aggrieve”, and placed in police custody.

The arrests are not being linked to any specific allegation of spiking by a needle, or contamination of a drink.

Both men have since been released under investigation, the force said in an update.

Nottinghamshire Police said it will deploy extra officers to ensure people can enjoy a “safe night out”.