Spiking means adding alcohol or drugs to someone's drink, or injecting them, without their knowledge or consent, and it is already a criminal offence under existing laws. The government has moved to create a specific offence of spiking to make the law clearer, so check the latest legal position. Victims may feel suddenly far drunker than expected, confused, sick or unable to move, and may remember little afterwards.
Venues can reduce the risk with drink covers or stoppers, testing kits, CCTV coverage, staff trained to watch for predatory behaviour, and clear messaging that reports will be taken seriously. When someone says they have been spiked, the response should prioritise their safety: believe them, keep them with a trusted friend or member of staff rather than ejecting them, call for medical help if needed, contact the police, and preserve evidence such as the glass and CCTV where possible. A written spiking procedure, practised by every shift, turns good intentions into consistent action.
What we ask on the show
- What does your venue's spiking procedure look like?
- How do you train staff to spot predatory behaviour?
- Do drink covers and test kits genuinely help?
- How should a venue support someone after a suspected spiking?