Anti-spiking week

Anti-spiking week

What is spiking:

Spiking is when substances are secretly introduced into someones body without consent through food, drinks and vapes. 

Statistics:

Between December 2024 and November 2025, the Met police had 2,700 allegations of spiking

Women and girls are disproportionately affected with 63% of victims being female

Over the past 12 months, 126 spiking offences have resulted in positive outcomes, including charges, supported by a 9 per cent rise in reporting of a crime that has long been under-reported.

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

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. 

What will happen if you report to the police

Once reported to us and if spiking is suspected, officers may take a non-invasive urine sample.

Some drugs leave the body in less than 12 hours, so it is important to report and test as soon as possible. Other drugs remain in the body longer so testing can take place up to seven days after the incident.

The test results will come back in three weeks and we will keep you updated on progress.

It is not a crime to have illegal drugs in your system (unless you are driving), so please don’t let this stop you reporting. We know it can be scary to report, but we're here to help you.

We will also determine whether any additional crimes have occurred and support you.

If you are tested by your GP or in a hospital you will also need to have a police test. This is so the results can be used as evidence. 

Police action:

To tackle this crime, the Met has combined awareness campaigns with cutting-edge technology. In partnership with Meta and the Safer Business Network, officers launched an immersive virtual reality experience in central London, inviting office workers to step into real-life scenarios where spiking could occur.

The initiative aimed to raise awareness ahead of Christmas parties, consider the risks, and encourage early reporting.

Alongside public engagement, officers are also exploring the use of specialist vape-spiking detection equipment capable of rapidly testing vapes suspected to contain drugs such as THC or Spice. 

This technology, already deployed in nightclubs, festivals and schools, is part of a wider toolkit that includes mobile drug testing equipment and near infra-red detectors supported by a mobile app, which can quickly identify powders and tablets suspected of containing controlled substances