Needle spiking

Needle spiking (also called injection spiking) is a phenomenon initially reported in the UK and Ireland where people, usually young women, have found themselves apparently subjected to surreptitious injection of unidentified sedative drugs, usually in a crowded environment such as the dancefloor of a nightclub, and producing symptoms such as sedation and amnesia typical of date rape drugs. No verified toxicological results have been published showing the presence of known incapacitating agents in alleged victims, but many reported cases show physical evidence consistent with forcible injection, such as puncture marks with associated bruising, which are usually discovered some time after the incident. The prevalence of genuine cases is unknown and has been controversial, with some experts expressing doubts as to how easily such injections could be carried out without it being immediately obvious to the victim.[1][2][3][4][5]

Incidents

56 incidents of spiking by injection were recorded in September and October 2021.[6]

VICE News were informed of 274 reported cases between September-November in the UK by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC). The NPCC said that zero cases had been confirmed. [7]

England

In Nottingham, where 15 reports of needle spiking were made in October, police identified one case where a victim's injury "could be consistent with a needle".[8]

Three men were arrested following reports in Brighton and Eastbourne.[9]

In Yorkshire, people were kept inside a nightclub for two hours following allegations two women had been spiked with needles.[10]

In December 2021, Nottinghamshire Police Service had received 146 reports of suspected needle spiking. Nine arrests were made but no suspects were subsequently charged. [11]

Ireland

In Ireland, the Garda Síochána carried out multiple needle spiking investigations in October and November 2021.[12] The first known report of needle spiking in Ireland was on 27 October when a woman was spiked with a needle in a Dublin nightclub.[13]

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, the PSNI began an investigation after a woman believed she was spiked with a needle in Omagh on 6 November.[14]

Social media claims

Claims of spiking by injection have been propagated on social media, alongside other claims of drink spiking.[15][16][17]

Reactions

Concerns have been raised by campaigners, politicians and student bodies.[15] British home secretary Priti Patel has allegedly requested an urgent update from the police regarding these incidents.[16]

Boycotts and tougher checks

In response, a number of women from university cities decided to boycott nightclubs for "girls' nights in".[18][19] Campaigners also called on nightclubs to impose tougher checks on entry; an online petition on the issue will be considered by Parliament.[6][20]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ng K. Needle Spiking: What is it and why is it happening? The Independent, 21 October 2021
  2. ↑ Brown L, Rahman-Jones I. Injection spiking: How likely is it? BBC News, 22 October 2021
  3. ↑ Specia M, Kwai I. ‘Needle Spiking’ of Women in Britain Stirs Alarm Over New Kind of Assault. The New York Times, 25 October 2021
  4. ↑ Gallagher C. Gardaí investigate claim woman ‘spiked’ in nightclub with needle. The Irish Times, 27 October 2021
  5. ↑ Francis E. Reports of ‘needle spiking’ in Britain drive young women, students to boycott bars. The Washington Post, 29 October 2021
  6. 1 2 Brooks, Libby (27 October 2021). "Women boycott UK bars and clubs to demand action on drink-spiking". The Guardian.
  7. ↑ "274 Reports But Zero Confirmed Cases: What We Know About 'Needle Spiking' in the UK". www.vice.com. Retrieved 2022-02-15.
  8. ↑ "Nottinghamshire Police investigate 15 reports of needle spiking". BBC News. 21 October 2021.
  9. ↑ "Brighton and Eastbourne spiking: Three men arrested". BBC News. 2 November 2021.
  10. ↑ "Clubbers kept inside nightclub for hours by police after girls 'spiked with needles'". The Independent. 2 November 2021.
  11. ↑ "Nottinghamshire Police receive 146 needle spiking reports". BBC News. 2021-12-17. Retrieved 2022-02-15.
  12. ↑ Daly, Rebecca (11 November 2021). "Gardai confirm multiple 'needle spiking' investigations as woman left 'disorientated by drugs'". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  13. ↑ Gallagher, Conor (27 October 2021). "Gardaí investigate claim woman 'spiked' in nightclub with needle". The Irish Times. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  14. ↑ Leebody, Christopher (10 November 2021). "PSNI investigating Omagh needle spiking incident targeting woman". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  15. 1 2 Galer, Sophia Smith (20 October 2021). "Here's What We Know About Reports of Women Being 'Spiked With Needles' in UK Clubs". Vice News.
  16. 1 2 Wickham, Alex (20 October 2021). "London Playbook: Spike warning — No Plan B for now — Hero to net zero". Politico.
  17. ↑ Lawton, Megan (15 October 2021). "Drink spiking at house parties 'big concern' for police". BBC News.
  18. ↑ "Norwich: Drink-spiking fears prompt venue boycott". BBC News. 20 October 2021.
  19. ↑ "Suffolk nightspot injection spiking attacks investigated". BBC News. 2 November 2021.
  20. ↑ "Thousands of women set to boycott nightclubs for 'night in' protest amid surge in reports of drink spiking and unknown injections". Sky News. 27 October 2021.
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