Spiking Awareness

Good evening White Hart Lane,

A message below regarding Spiking.

What is Spiking:

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

It is a serious criminal offence to spike a drink.

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 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. 

It is also important to keep an eye on your possessions, such as mobile phones, wallets, bags, etc., as these are items often stolen/missing during a night out.

Officers will continue to patrol communities over the Christmas and New Year periods. 

If you are concerned about any suspicious activity in a licensed premises, please contact the police. In an emergency, always contact 999.