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Spiking Incidents: Prevention — [Esther McVey in the Chair]
11 January 2023
Lead MP
Richard Graham
Gloucester
Con
Responding Minister
Thomas Tugendhat
Tags
No tags
Word Count: 14122
Other Contributors: 20
At a Glance
Richard Graham raised concerns about spiking incidents: prevention — [esther mcvey in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Mr. Graham requests a simple amendment to existing law to make spiking completely illegal without creating a new offence. He believes such an amendment would help clarify the legal status of spiking and encourage victims to report incidents more frequently.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Mr. Richard Graham is concerned about the prevalence of spiking incidents, particularly affecting young females in the night-time economy. He cites data from the National Police Chiefs' Council showing nearly 5,000 reported cases of spiking for the year ending August 2022, including 2,581 cases involving needles and 2,131 cases involving drinks. Graham highlights that despite Home Office promises to research this issue, no specific proposal has been forthcoming.
Pontypridd
She expressed concern about the prevalence of spiking incidents and the measures victims are advised to take, such as covering drinks and wearing denim jackets. She highlighted the need for a new offence for spiking and commended the bravery of Sharon Gaffka, an anti-spiking campaigner. Davies-Jones also supported the Home Affairs Committee's report and called for a joined-up approach from the UK Government to ensure consistency across police services in prosecuting perpetrators.
Alex Sobel
Lab Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
Reports an increase in spiking incidents among both young males and females upon the return of students after the pandemic, advocating for testing kits to gather evidence for prosecutions.
Allan Dorans
SNP
Glasgow North East
The offence of spiking is one of the most repugnant acts and should be addressed as part of a wider campaign to prevent violence against all genders. It includes instances where family members commit such crimes, highlighting its severity beyond casual acquaintances or strangers.
Caroline Nokes
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
Highlights that spiking is not limited to women but also affects young men who are sometimes robbed of significant sums after being spiked, arguing against linking the offence exclusively to sexual purposes. Ms Caroline Nokes discusses cases of spiking that have affected her constituents and highlights the need for clear legal action to address spiking incidents. Caroline Nokes mentioned the role of bouncers in identifying and assisting individuals who may be spiked, noting an incident where a constituent was mistakenly believed to be drunk rather than drugged.
South East Cornwall
Asks clarification on how the proposed spiking offence differs from section 61 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which addresses substances administered without consent for sexual purposes.
The right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North mentions the valuable research done by her Committee on spiking and expresses concern about data collection issues.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Diana R. Johnson noted that only 25% of spiking victims report incidents to the police, according to a Home Affairs Committee inquiry. She recommended education, training, awareness, local authority action, national strategy on prevention, rapid testing for reported incidents, and suggested a review of section 182 of the Licensing Act. She urged the Minister to set out the timetable for consultation. Questions the Minister's position on whether there will be no change to the law regarding spiking incidents, as per a letter dated 20 December.
Jane Hunt
Con
Loughborough
Described working with the Street Pastors in Loughborough, highlighting the support for knife arch schemes among security staff and residents. Cited recommendations from Loughborough Students Union to update SIA training on spiking awareness, amend Licensing Act 2003 section 182, and enforce pub and club watch schemes.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon highlighted that spiking is a nationwide issue impacting young people, with up to 43,000 people spiked in the UK over the past year. He mentioned 17 spiking incidents at a nightclub in Londonderry and stressed the need for co-ordination between the Government and nightclubs to address this issue effectively. Mr Shannon noted that there are two other speakers following him.
Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
The number of spiking incidents has been increasing over the last few months according to a message from the police and crime commissioner for Dyfed-Powys.
Judith Cummins
Lab
Bradford South
The MP highlighted the need for a specific criminal offence of spiking, noting recent figures indicating almost 5,000 incidents in one year. She emphasized that these figures are likely an underestimate due to underreporting and recommended compulsory safeguarding training for staff at music festivals.
Nadia Whittome
Lab
Nottingham East
Agrees with the speaker's work and advocates for a focus on educating men about misogyny rather than burdening women with responsibility to avoid spiking incidents.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
The MP acknowledged the unacceptable nature of spiking incidents, which now include food, drinks, and needle spiking. She emphasized the need for a coherent approach to criminalize spiking through existing legislation, linking it to the violence against women and girls strategy.
Rachel Maclean
Con
Blackpool North and FYI
Rachel Maclean highlighted the Home Office's efforts in preventing spiking incidents, particularly mentioning the success of measures implemented during the summer festival season. She also questioned whether new criminal offences were necessary for better legal action against spikers and asked for clarification on why a clear criminal offence was not required despite expert advice from frontline policing.
Ruth Edwards
Con
Nottingham North
I am concerned about the high number of spiking incidents reported in Nottingham, which had one of the highest numbers of needle-spiking cases last year. The better data we have, the more effective our response will be; I support the National Police Chiefs' Council's efforts to establish a reporting mechanism for spiking incidents and Government initiatives such as funding for safer street wardens and CCTV cameras.
Sally-Ann Hart
Con
Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Sally-Ann Hart expressed concern about the high number of spiking incidents, particularly in Sussex. She called for anti-spiking measures at nightclubs and bars to become standard practice, increased convictions with severe sentences, and improved education for young people. She also highlighted the Ask for Angela scheme and advocated for expedited progress on legislation.
Sarah Jones
Lab
Croydon West
Ms Jones highlighted the underreporting of spiking incidents and called for better support for victims to come forward. She urged the government to introduce a specific offence of spiking, citing 5,000 reported cases but noting that this is likely an underestimate due to stigma and lack of confidence in authorities. She also commended good work done by police forces like West Midlands Police and Northumbria PCC on addressing spiking.
Siobhan Baillie
Con
Stroud
One in nine women and 6% of men have been spiking victims, indicating a serious issue requiring legislative change. The speaker also highlighted the case of Maisy Farmer and called for increased awareness and support for those affected.
Vicky Ford
Con
Chelmsford
Supports the campaign to recognise spiking as a criminal offence, noting that one Chelmsford nightclub has taken measures like CCTV installation to keep women safe.
Yasmin Qureshi
Lab
Bolton South and Walkden
Noted that women and girls make up 74% of spiking victims and cited over 50 reported cases in Bolton last year. Emphasised the importance of Ask for Angela training to protect individuals from spiking incidents, highlighting real-life stories of victims.
Government Response
Thomas Tugendhat
Government Response
Acknowledged significant steps taken by various Ministers to protect women and girls from spiking. Discussed the reclassification of drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act, investment in protection projects, public safety measures, and efforts to address spiking through legislation. Emphasised ongoing examination of whether further criminal offences are necessary to address spiking adequately.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.