On Saturday evening (16 December), the Home Office announced amendments would be made to the Criminal Justice Bill and updates to the Offences Against The Person Act 1861 to make it clear that spiking is illegal.
Spiking is when someone puts drugs into another person’s drink or directly into their body without their consent or knowledge.
Ministers had come under pressure from campaigners and opposition parties to make spiking a specific offence.
NTIA chief executive Michael Kill said: “We welcome the Home Office's commitment to modernise spiking laws, a cause that our association has ardently advocated for over the past few years.
“The proposed amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill and updates to the Offences Against The Person Act 1861 align with the evidence presented by our organisation in the Home Affairs Select Committee on spiking."
'Significant milestone'
Kill continued: “This legislative move is a testament to the collective efforts of our association, parliamentarians, the industry, and key stakeholders who have tirelessly collaborated to challenge the prevalence of this heinous crime.”
He said home secretary James Cleverly’s acknowledgement of spiking as an offence was a “significant milestone”.
He added: “The planned statutory guidance under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 and the commitment to providing an unequivocal definition of spiking reflects a comprehensive approach to addressing this pressing issue.”
Nearly 5,000 cases of needle and drink spiking incidents were reported to police in England and Wales in the 12 months to September 2022, according to National Police Chiefs' Council figures.
'Proactive stance'
In 2022, the third edition of Stint’s Students Sentiment Tracker revealed one in six students said they had been spiked at a nightlife venue.
The tracker surveyed more than 1,000 students across the UK to examine attitudes to safety, employability and mental health.
Kill continued: “Our association remains dedicated to working alongside the Government and law enforcement agencies to ensure the effective implementation of these vital measures.
“The proactive stance taken by the Home Office is a positive step towards creating a safer environment within nightlife establishments and broader society, and we are optimistic about the positive impact these legislative changes will have on the overall safety and well-being of patrons during the festive season and beyond."
