The prime minister will meet with hospitality leaders, police chiefs and transport bosses today (25 November) to create new laws around drinks spiking and keeping women and girls safe.
Sir Keir Starmer will set out how the new offence is just one of part of the solution, while asking for coordinated action across the police, transport network and venues.
The plan also includes training for spotting and tackling spiking for staff in the night-time economy. The training, which will be piloted from December, will ‘equip staff with the skills they need to prevent incidents, support victims and help police collect evidence’.
The training will be rolled out to up to 10,000 bar staff by spring.
Today’s meeting will include insights from chief constable Jason Hogg of the Thames Valley Police, who will explain how his force is tackling predatory sexual behaviour, and chief constable Lucy D’Orsi of the British Transport Police, who will set out work being undertaken to keep women safe using public transport.
Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality and the chair of the Institute of Licensing, will represent the on-trade and discuss how the industry can support the new plans.
She said: “Our pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants are where Brits go to enjoy themselves and our priority is to ensure everyone can do that safely.
“I’m pleased that we’re able to support the Home Office in its plans to roll out a nationwide training programme as part of these efforts, to help ensure all staff know how to prevent spiking and have the skills to act if they suspect someone has been spiked.
“This is all part of hospitality’s unwavering commitment to keeping customers safe and ensuring our teams have the knowledge and skills they need.”
The previous UK government announced plans to tackle spiking last year, however there were doubts about the standardisation of training.
Critical milestone
Following the news from Downing Street today, Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), said: “The prime minister’s decisive action today marks a critical milestone in our ongoing efforts to address the pervasive issue of spiking and ensure the safety of women and girls within the night-time economy and beyond. As a society, we must stand united to tackle this appalling crime that undermines the trust and enjoyment people deserve when socialising or simply travelling at night.
“The NTIA has worked tirelessly with night-time economy businesses to ensure safeguarding remains a core focus across the UK. By working with local authorities to standardise training and guidance, increasing awareness of spiking, and driving targeted campaigns to deter perpetrators, we have supported venues in creating safer environments for all.
“We welcome the prime minister’s commitment to making spiking a specific criminal offence, something we have advocated for alongside others since the Home Affairs Select Committee Inquiry in 2022. This will send a strong message to offenders while empowering victims to come forward with confidence with the justice system’s support. Crucially, this decisive step will also allow authorities to focus on perpetrator profiling, enabling law enforcement to build a formidable picture of offenders and close down perpetrators of this heinous crime.
“Training is the cornerstone of the broader UK strategy against spiking. By equipping thousands of staff across bars, clubs, and venues with the skills to identify, prevent, and respond to spiking incidents, we have enhanced safeguarding measures within the licensed sector.
“However, while we have worked extremely hard to enhance our ability to manage spaces such as pubs, bars and clubs, it is essential to recognise that the issue of spiking extends beyond the hospitality and night-time economy. Domestic settings, including house parties and halls of residence, also present significant risks and require as much focus and preventative action as our licensed venues.
“This is a societal issue, and success requires a collective approach. Policing, transport authorities, night-time economy and hospitality businesses, universities, community stakeholders, and government agencies must work together to eradicate spiking and other crimes that disproportionately affect women and girls. The NTIA fully supports the government’s mission to halve violence against women and girls.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that the UK’s night-time economy is not just vibrant and welcoming but also a safe and secure environment for everyone. Together, with coordinated action and shared responsibility, we can drive real change and create a society where safety is guaranteed, whether in a licensed venue or a domestic setting.”
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