UK Government rules out “unnecessary” specific laws against spiking

Yep, you read it right; the UK Government has dismissed the proposal of new specific laws around different spiking forms.

As reported by the BBC, ministers have ruled out the option despite looking into the possibility of new legislation last year. 

Health Office Minister Sarah Dines argued that new laws were “unnecessary” whilst other laws covering spiking “by drink, needle, vape, cigarette, food, or any other known form” are in place.

“The existing offences cover all methods of spiking,” Said Dines. “Police are yet to encounter a case where they could not apply an existing offence,” she added.

Although a potential new law was dismissed, those in favour of the legislation argue that it could improve police data while helping to increase the reports on spiking-related incidents.

Night Time Industries Association’s CEO, Michael Kill, has had his say on the result of the proposal: “We are extremely disappointed at the outcome of the Government’s inquiry.

“While the suggestion is that the police and legislation are equipped to deal with these heinous crimes, the evidence and data gathering preceding October 2021 proved extremely hard to track and assess, with many of these crimes hidden against the crimes of sexual assault or robbery, particularly as the window of evidence gathering and reporting is so short.”