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Spiking awareness and reporting

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Spiking awareness and reporting

What is spiking?

Spiking means giving someone drugs or alcohol without their knowledge or permission. It’s illegal and carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Examples of spiking include:

  • Drink spiking - adding drugs or alcohol to someone's drink

  • Needle spiking - injecting drugs into someone's body with a needle or auto-injector pen

  • Vape or cigarette spiking - giving someone drugs in a cigarette or e-cigarette

  • Food spiking - adding drugs to someone's food

Giving someone more alcohol or drugs than they were expecting and have consented to is also spiking. For example, giving someone double shots instead of single ones.

This list is not exhaustive and there are other behaviours that may be considered spiking, depending on the circumstances.

How to report spiking

If you’re injured, in immediate danger or need support right away, call 999. 

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use the textphone service on 18000. Or, text 999 if you’ve already registered with the emergencySMS service.

If you're in danger but you can't talk on the phone, call 999 then follow these instructions for how to make a silent 999 call.

If you’re not in immediate danger, visit the police website for ways to report spiking.

Support if you’ve been spiked 

Spiking can happen to anyone anywhere, no matter your age, gender, sexuality or ethnicity. It can be done by strangers or by people you know. You’re not to blame for being spiked.

If you feel unwell, find an urgent treatment centre or A&E and get medical attention.

What happens if you’re spiked

It can be difficult to know if someone has spiked you. But if you feel strange or like you've had more alcohol or drugs than you actually have, then get help straight away. Tell someone, such as a friend you’re with or a member of staff, as soon as possible if you think you’ve been spiked and ask them to help you.

If you’ve been spiked, you might experience:

  • confusion and disorientation

  • nausea and vomiting

  • hallucinations and paranoia

  • poor co-ordination and vision

  • an inability to communicate clearly

  • memory loss and blackouts

Spiking can also make you vulnerable to other crimes such as theft, sexual assault or rape.

What Camden Council is doing about spiking

Camden Council offers free Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training for anyone in a customer-facing role, including security teams, at businesses in Camden. The training explains spiking and it helps participants recognise vulnerability and identify ways to help reduce harm. 

Training is delivered in association with the Safer Business Network and participants receive an accredited certificate.

Find more information and register for the WAVE training.

We also provide ongoing support and guidance to licensed premises in Camden. This includes via Camden’s Licensing Policy, which sets out our vision to support local nightlife and businesses while ensuring everyone stays safe.

This policy plays a crucial role in preventing drink spiking and related issues by setting clear expectations for licensed premises and promoting a safe and responsible drinking environment.

The policy is currently under consultation and proposed changes include:

  • Secure drink preparation: ensure that all drinks are prepared and served by trained and responsible staff

  • Collaborate with local authorities: work closely with the police and community organisations to share information and coordinate efforts to prevent drink spiking

  • Drink tracking: encourage people to keep track of their drinks and to never leave them unattended

  • Offer drink awareness information: consider having posters or information available in the premises to educate people about the risks of drink spiking and what they can do to protect themselves

  • Promote a safe environment: foster a culture of safety and mutual respect within your premises to discourage harmful behaviours, including drink spiking

With these preventive measures, licensed premises can significantly reduce the risk of drink spiking and create a safer and more enjoyable environment for everyone. It’s essential to be proactive and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone in licensed premises.