Staying safe from spiking during the festive season

Good morning,

Hope this WMNow message finds you well!

As the Christmas party season kicks off, celebrations are in full swing. While the holidays bring plenty of joy and opportunities to socialise, it’s also important to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

We take spiking seriously and are working hard to keep you safe on nights out across the region.

As well as safer nights patrols from officers and dedicated volunteers who are around to help, we also work closely with pubs and clubs to spot signs of predatory behaviour, train staff to use safety schemes – like Ask For Angela – and provide anti-spiking products. Find out more here: Safer nights out in the West Midlands

To help us keep you safe, here are some reminders of what spiking is, what to do if you think you’ve been spiked and how to reduce the risk of being spiked.

What is spiking?

Spiking is when someone – it could be a stranger or someone you know – adds alcohol or drugs to your drink without your knowledge or consent. In rare cases, it can also involve injecting someone with drugs.

It’s a serious crime that could happen to anyone and can take place in clubs, bars, house parties – even in private settings.

The consequences of spiking

Spiking is always illegal and should never be treated as a joke – even if it’s one of your mates who have put something in your drink ‘for a laugh’. It’s a violent crime that could have life-altering consequences for victims and severe legal repercussions for perpetrators.

Offenders could face up to 10 years in prison – or more if theft or sexual assault is involved. They can also be placed on the sex offender register.

The signs of being spiked

It can be hard to tell if your drink has been spiked, but if you notice any changes to the taste or appearance of your drink, stop drinking it. Tell a trusted friend what’s happened and, if you’re out at a venue, notify a member of staff immediately.

It’s not always easy to tell if you’ve been spiked, as symptoms will vary depending on what you’ve been spiked with. Some symptoms to look out for though are:

· Confusion

· Nausea or vomiting

· Hallucinations or paranoia

· Disorientation

· Difficulty communicating

· Unconsciousness

If you start to feel strange or more drunk than you thought you should be, seek help immediately.

What to do 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 – in an emergency, call 999

· If you’re worried about symptoms, call the NHS on 111 for advice or 999 if you need an ambulance

Letting people know what has happened gives the best chance of 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. We take spiking extremely seriously and work proactively to pursue perpetrators.

Don’t let the fact that you might have knowingly taken illegal drugs stop you from reporting either. It is not an offence to have illegal drugs in your system and police officers will want to make sure you are okay.

Spiking is believed to be under-reported, often because people worry they won’t be believed or that there won’t be enough evidence. However, West Midlands Police is committed to believing victims of spiking and securing all possible evidence, including increased testing for the presence of drink spiking substances.

How to reduce the risk of being spiked

Everyone should feel safe to enjoy themselves without worrying about being spiked. While it’s never your fault if someone spikes you, there are steps you can take to help protect yourself and others:

· Stick together with your friends and look out for each other – being in a group can also help deter would-be spikers

· Keep an eye on your drink – never leave it unattended, whether it’s alcoholic or not. If you need to step away, finish your drink first or ask a trusted friend to watch it for you

· Be wary of people reaching over your drinks – alert staff immediately if you see anyone acting suspiciously around your or someone else’s drink

· Cover your drink – use your hand, a coaster or a specially designed drink cover to shield your drink from tampering

· Know your limits – being aware of how much you’ve had to drink can help you notice if something feels off

· Be cautious if you are bought or given a drink – only accept drinks from people you know and trust

· If you or a friend feel unwell, seek help from staff or call an ambulance immediately

Visit the Drink spiking and date rape drugs | Drinkaware for more information about spiking and advice for enjoying a safe night out.

Remember, there is no time limit on reporting spiking; whether it just happened or it happened a while ago, you can tell us about it. Visit our report spiking page to find out more: Report spiking | West Midlands Police

Have a great Sunday.

Steven