Standing Firm Against Spiking

Spiking is a despicable crime that can leave victims feeling vulnerable, frightened and unsafe. While incidents in Dorset remain relatively low, even one offence is one too many.

As Police and Crime Commissioner, I am committed to supporting work that helps prevent these offences and improves safety across Dorset's night-time economy. This includes working with Dorset and BCP councils to obtain Home Office ‘Safer Streets Funding’ which was launched to fund initiatives that support the prevention of crimes relating to violence against women and girls, neighbourhood crime and antisocial behaviour.

Additionally, my office recently funded two specialist drugs dogs trained to detect date rape drugs, chemsex drugs and Class A drugs for a project vigilant operation in Weymouth which used both uniformed and plain-clothed officers to identify and respond to suspicious or predatory behaviour. Plain-clothed officers spot the early warning signs, while uniformed colleagues intervene where necessary, using a range of measures from advice and dispersal orders to arrest.

Project Vigilant also ran across Bournemouth and similarly, officers across the county have been taking part in Operation Nighthawk, a positive initiative providing a high visibility presence in the nighttime economy – deploying both uniformed and non-uniformed officers.

Let me be clear: it should never be down to a potential victim to safeguard themselves against the appalling behaviour of those who seek to harm others. Responsibility sits entirely with the perpetrator. However, until these offences are eradicated, taking practical steps to stay safe and supporting friends on nights out can help prevent further harm.

While rates of spiking in Dorset are low, work is also being done to raise awareness of the signs to look out for as the county prepares to welcome hundreds of new university students, many of whom may be living away from home for the first time.

If you are socialising, please never leave your drink unattended and, where possible, watch it being prepared and served. Be wary of accepting drinks from people you do not know and trust and if a friend suddenly appears unusually intoxicated, confused, disorientated or unwell, do not leave them alone.

There are a number of products available that have been designed to help reduce the risk of drink spiking and give people greater peace of mind when enjoying a night out.

If you attended the Dorset County Show, you may have seen my team handing out Spikeys. These are small stoppers that fit into the neck of most bottles, leaving only a hole for a straw, making it more difficult for someone to place tablets, powders or other substances into a drink without being noticed.

StopTopps on the other hand are flexible drink protectors that cover the top of glasses, bottles and cans, helping to deter tampering while still allowing the drink to be consumed.

While these can be useful safety tools, it is important to remember that the responsibility for spiking always lies with the offender, never the victim. These products should be viewed as an additional precaution alongside sensible measures such as keeping drinks in sight, staying with friends and reporting any concerns immediately.

Know the signs of spiking:

• Feeling dizzy or disorientated
• Sudden drowsiness
• Difficulty speaking or concentrating
• Memory loss
• Feeling significantly more intoxicated than expected
• Nausea or vomiting

If you think you or someone you know has been spiked, you should seek help immediately. Speak to venue staff, security personnel, a trusted friend or contact the police. If urgent medical assistance is required, call 999.

Dorset Police also work with bars, clubs and other venues to train staff to recognise the symptoms of spiking.

Instances of spiking should always be reported so that officers can investigate. Every report can help build a bigger picture of what is happening and help identify any patterns.

Support When You're Out

Dorset is fortunate to have a range of organisations offering help and reassurance during nights out. Bournemouth Town Pastors and Weymouth Street Pastors are both brilliant assets to Dorset, looking out for vulnerable people, looking out for those who may have fallen unwell and being there when things haven’t gone to plan or someone just needs a listening ear, whilst Dorset Police’s Safe Bus (which is now a van) offers a safe space and welfare support for those affected by alcohol, drugs or mental health concerns in Bournemouth’s Horseshoe Common on most Friday and Saturday nights.

There is also the Pineapple Project which was funded by the Safer Streets Fund designed to safeguard the young women of Dorset when they are outside of their family homes and in the community.

The pioneering scheme was launched in Weymouth in 2022 to tackle hidden harms such as peer-on-peer abuse and exploitation. It involved setting up a network of Community Guardians - local businesses and volunteers - who were trained to provide safe havens for girls and young women.

My team at the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner plays a vital role in supporting victims and driving improvements across Dorset. We commission a range of specialist services, including the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) through STARS Dorset (Sexual Trauma and Recovery Service), ensuring victims can access the specialist support they need.

We also work closely with partners to address VAWG though the VAWG Improvement Panel. The panel scrutinises and drives improvements in how violence against women and girls is identified, prevented and responded to across Dorset.

I would like to end this newsletter by encouraging people to enjoy everything Dorset's towns, venues and communities have to offer, have a great night out and know we remain committed to making our communities as safe as possible for everyone.

 

David Sidwick
Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset