Published
Thu, Jan 12, 2023, 13:45
- Officials say there are no gaps in the current legislation, while critics argue a specific law could help gather data and deter perpetrators.
The UK government has decided against introducing a specific spiking law, despite assurances to the contrary last year.
Published yesterday, January 12th, in a letter by Sarah Dines MP, the decision outlined how current legislation already covers all types of spiking offences, including drink, needle, cigarette and vape. They fall under laws such as the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
"Introducing a new specific spiking offence wouldn't capture any new criminal behaviour," Dines wrote," "it wouldn't reduce the evidential burden to prosecute such offences, it wouldn't increase the sentencing powers available to judges in such cases and it wouldn't increase the likelihood of charging or prosecuting an offender for spiking offences."
She added: "However, we recognise that there is more to do to ensure absolute clarity around what spiking is and how it should be reported. That is why the Home Office will be undertaking a targeted consultation on amendments to the statutory guidance issued under section 182 of the Licencing Act 2003."
The government's decision runs counter to some of the points put forward by the Home Affairs Committee, which met in January 2022. MPs including Labour's Diana Johnson argued that a specific law would increase the number of incidents reported, help the police gather data and act as a deterrent to perpetrators.
Michael Kill, CEO of the Nighttime Industries Association, said the NTIA was "extremely disappointed" with the decision and that a lot of the data pre-October 2021 was "hard to track and assess" because of the way the incidents are reported and logged.
The Home Affairs Committee met after spiking suddenly became a national story in late 2021 following a series of alleged needle spiking incidents, largely against women and girls, in places like Nottingham, Brighton and Edinburgh. Similar incidents have since been reported all over the world, including a spate in Berlin nightclubs.
Despite this, the evidence around needle spiking remains inconclusive, and many medical and scientific experts have said the phenomenon was more caused by hysteria than reality.
According to the National Police Chiefs Council, there were almost 5,000 reports of needle and drink spiking incidents in England and Wales between September 2021 and 2022.
Read the government's letter in full, and revisit our Exchange episode on spiking and nightlife.
Photo: Aleksandr Popov