Recommendations & Conclusions
6 items
1
Recommendation
Ninth Report - Spiking
Accepted
We recommend that all staff working at music festivals, including vendors, be given compulsory safeguarding training, and this be a requirement that licensing authorities consider when approving events. This might be done along lines similar to training provided in voluntary schemes in other licensed premises, such as Ask Angela or …
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We recommend that all staff working at music festivals, including vendors, be given compulsory safeguarding training, and this be a requirement that licensing authorities consider when approving events. This might be done along lines similar to training provided in voluntary schemes in other licensed premises, such as Ask Angela or the licensing security and vulnerability initiative (Licensing SAVI).
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Government response AI summary
The government rejected mandating compulsory safeguarding training for all festival staff but committed to reviewing the Section 182 guidance of the Licensing Act 2003 to advise licensing committees to consider staff safeguarding training when approving event licences.
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Home Office
4
Recommendation
Ninth Report - Spiking
Accepted
We call on the Home Office to increase education and awareness about spiking and welcome its considering whether a specific new offence of spiking is required. We urge the Home Office, however, to focus its efforts first on improving reporting of the crime of spiking and on gathering information about …
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We call on the Home Office to increase education and awareness about spiking and welcome its considering whether a specific new offence of spiking is required. We urge the Home Office, however, to focus its efforts first on improving reporting of the crime of spiking and on gathering information about the reasons for and outcomes of such reports. We invite the Home Office to set out steps it will take to improve data on the prevalence, scale and dangers of spiking. (Paragraph 19) Legal framework
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Government response AI summary
The government committed to increasing education and awareness about spiking by integrating it into the 'Enough' campaign and working with law enforcement and venues to ensure clear messaging for victims regarding forensics and reporting.
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Home Office
6
Conclusion
Ninth Report - Spiking
Accepted
The existence of a spiking offence would not in and of itself stop spiking, but it would have several benefits. First, it would facilitate police work under way to identify perpetrators and patterns of offending by enabling the police to collect better data on the prevalence of spiking incidents. Secondly, …
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The existence of a spiking offence would not in and of itself stop spiking, but it would have several benefits. First, it would facilitate police work under way to identify perpetrators and patterns of offending by enabling the police to collect better data on the prevalence of spiking incidents. Secondly, it would act as a deterrent by sending a clear message to perpetrators that this is a serious crime which attracts severe penalties. And thirdly, victims would be more likely to report spiking it if it were a recognised criminal offence. (Paragraph 26) Preventing and deterring spiking
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Government response AI summary
The government committed to reviewing the guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 to consider whether to require licensing authorities to address the prevalence, prevention, and reporting of sexual harassment, misconduct, and gender-based violence in their local licensing policies.
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Home Office
7
Conclusion
Ninth Report - Spiking
Accepted
There is an urgent need for improved education and awareness around spiking across several sectors. (Paragraph 47) 40 Spiking
Government response AI summary
The government intends to conduct reviews of international activity, academic research, and anti-spiking initiatives, publishing a final report by 28 April 2023 featuring best practice case studies. They will also consider requiring police and local authorities to present an anti-spiking mission statement.
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Home Office
15
Conclusion
Ninth Report - Spiking
Accepted
Accessibility to testing is an issue for many victims and the lack of forensic testing capacity creates evidential difficulties for the police.
Government response AI summary
The government already established an accredited rapid urine testing service in partnership with Eurofins in Autumn 2021 and will continue it throughout 2022, with plans to improve it in 2023.
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Home Office
16
Recommendation
Ninth Report - Spiking
Accepted
To ensure adequate, timely provision of forensic sampling of a standard sufficient to be admissible as evidence in court, the Government should introduce a duty on all police forces to provide those who report any spiking incident with the rapid testing service introduced in response to the outbreak of needle …
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To ensure adequate, timely provision of forensic sampling of a standard sufficient to be admissible as evidence in court, the Government should introduce a duty on all police forces to provide those who report any spiking incident with the rapid testing service introduced in response to the outbreak of needle spiking.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that law enforcement, in partnership with Eurofins, already established a rapid urine testing service in response to needle spiking, which has been open to all spiking samples since January 2022 and will be developed further in 2023.
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Home Office