Thousands of bar staff across the UK are set to receive new training on how to deal with incidents of drink spiking, as the Government introduces plans to make spiking a specific offence. Sir Keir Starmer is pushing for joint action from police and hospitality chiefs to combat violence against women and girls, with a focus on preventing cases, supporting victims, and collecting evidence. The Prime Minister will convene a meeting with chief constables, transport bosses, and industry executives to discuss a coordinated response to this issue.
Labour had promised in its manifesto to create a new offence for spiking, but details were lacking in this year’s King’s Speech. However, the commitment to halve violence against women and girls over the next decade remains a priority for the Government. While the timeline for the new legislation is unclear, efforts are underway to expedite its introduction. As part of the initiative, 10,000 workers in the hospitality industry will be trained to handle spiking incidents by next spring, building on a pilot scheme that began last December.
During the meeting at Downing Street, strategies already in place to address spiking will be discussed. This includes deploying plain clothes officers near bars and clubs to identify predatory behaviour. Chief Constable Jason Hogg of Thames Valley Police will share how his force is implementing such measures, while Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi of British Transport Police will highlight the relaunch of the text-to-report number, 61016, for women to seek help in cases of harassment on trains.
Sir Keir Starmer emphasised the importance of creating a safer environment for women and girls, stating that their safety is crucial for reclaiming the streets. The new training for bar staff and the proposed legislation for spiking are steps towards achieving this goal. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper echoed these sentiments, calling spiking a serious crime with long-lasting effects on victims. The measures aim to empower victims to come forward and ensure a robust police response to such crimes.
The issue of spiking is a pressing concern, with the devastating impact it can have on individuals. By introducing a specific offence for spiking and providing comprehensive training for bar staff, the Government is taking decisive action to address this crime. The training program aims to equip hospitality workers with the necessary skills to prevent, support, and respond to incidents of spiking effectively. With a coordinated effort from law enforcement, industry leaders, and government officials, the fight against spiking and violence against women and girls is gaining momentum.