Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Accepted
Improve reporting mechanisms and data collection on spiking incidents across the UK
Recommendation
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
Government Response 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.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government agrees with this recommendation and has begun conversations with communications leads from the “Enough” campaign looking into how spiking can be integrated into the wider campaign. In particular, we are exploring the opportunities for communications around September/ October this year, reflecting on the fact that reports of needle spiking peaked around the same period in 2021, coinciding with the university year starting, and the various “fresher’s weeks” that will be launching around that time. We recognise that these crimes can only lead to a charge and prosecution if there is evidence that spiking has taken place. We are therefore committed to working with law enforcement, festivals and Night Time Economy venues to ensure that there is clear messaging around what victims can expect, particularly in relation to accredited forensics testing process and the wider limitations around portable testing kits.