#13 - University of Birmingham student "wary" about attending nightclubs after Halloween spiking incidents

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Halloween weekend has seen five incidents of spikings in Birmingham with West Midlands Police stating: "Two women woke up after a night out with a small pin prick mark and a bruise on their body." 

Photo by Kirti Poddar

Spiking is a crime where an individual is drugged through their drink or even injection which commonly occurs at nightclubs or bars.   

With just over 200 reported incidents in the UK since September according to the National Police Chiefs' Council, spiking has become an increased problem. 

Birmingham has been targeted by an increase in spiking which has resulted in the formation of the 'Girls Night In' boycotts. 

The 'Girls Night In' boycotts were created by university students across the country and have gained sufficient media attention. 

University of Birmingham student Hannah Morris and boycott attendee, 20, said: "The boycotts are an excellent idea, but they're only a symbol of protest until the authorities learn the seriousness of this issue.

"I am in favour of nightclubs increasing security, offering free drink covers and drink testing kits, but they shouldn't be allowed to open their doors if they haven't passed a certain set of rules to prevent spiking.

"Until something like that is implemented, I will be very wary about going out."

The necessity to eradicate spiking from nightclubs has seen a petition to legally require nightclubs to thoroughly search people on entry gain over 170,000 signatures. 

Third-year medical student Priya Ubhi, 20, believes it is a nightclub's responsibility to have trained staff at the venue to support anyone who may have been spiked. 

Ubhi said: "Whilst the physical well-being of an individual is obviously extremely important, it's also key to consider the impact of the spiked individuals mental health after the event has taken place. 

"An experience like this can be harmful for anyone and surround them with anxiety about returning out in the future."

West Midlands Police Detective Sean Phillips dealt with numerous spiking cases over the Halloween weekend and has reassured people that him and his team investigate every case as they work on increasing safety at bars and nightclubs.  

Detective Phillips said: "We're working closely with bars and others to improve safety and people will see that from the extra searches and ID checks that security staff are carrying out."

West Midlands Police have encouraged anyone believed to have been spiked to contact them on this email address: wmpcc@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk 

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