Spiking drinks to be made criminal offence, says PM
The Independent|November 25, 2024
Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to make spiking a drink a specific criminal offence as he demanded joint action from police and hospitality chiefs to crack down on violence against women and girls (VAWG).
TARA COBHAM
Spiking drinks to be made criminal offence, says PM

With Labour promising to halve VAWG in the next decade, the prime minister is calling chief constables, transport bosses and industry executives to Downing Street today to urge a coordinated response to “bring the vile perpetrators to justice”.

Under government plans, by spring thousands of workers in the night-time economy will be trained on how to prevent spiking incidents, support victims and help collect evidence.

Labour pledged in its manifesto to introduce a new offence for spiking, but there was no detail in the King’s Speech this year about a specific crime – however, Sir Keir will reaffirm his commitment today, saying: “I made a promise that, if elected, I would make spiking a new criminal offence. Today, I am proud to have come good on that pledge.”

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