Police deliver important spiking messages to students
This week, representatives from Devon & Cornwall Police visited the Falmouth University Penryn campus to talk to students and staff about spiking.
Alcohol Licensing Officer Sue Edwards and Andy Sinclair from the force Campaigns team spoke about the types of spiking, what harm spiking does and why people do it, and the criminal offences for which offenders can be prosecuted. PC Rachel Mayes, Neighbourhood Beat manager for the Falmouth policing team, was on hand to answer questions about police procedures and attendance at spiking incidents.
They also highlighted how it is vital for anyone who thinks they have been spiked to seek immediate help, from a trusted friend or member of staff or security at the venue they are in and also, as soon as possible after they are safe and any evidence is secured, of reporting the incident to the police so that evidential urine tests can be taken.
Spiking is never the victim’s fault, but the speakers also advised that anyone who is out and about should be aware of their environment and keep an eye out for each other. This includes being cautious about accepting a vape unless they are absolutely certain what it contains.
The event was organised by Fleur Andrews, a 3rd-year Business and Digital Marketing student at Falmouth University..
Nationally 6% of reported incidents that are tested support the conclusion of it having been a spiking incident; in Devon and Cornwall this figure is 4%. Spiking by any method is an invasive and very harmful crime, and the police team emphasised that Devon & Cornwall Police welcomes any reports from victims or people who have witnessed what they believe to be a spiking incident.
If you suspect you have been spiked always seek help immediately, and report it to police as soon as you can. Reports can be made online through the Force website by clicking on “Report” and selecting the dedicated online spiking report form where you can report for yourself or on behalf of someone else, by calling 101, or anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers.
Further information about spiking and how to report it can be found on the Devon & Cornwall Police website: www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/spiking
Symptoms of spiking include:
- Confusion and disorientation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hallucinations and paranoia
- Poor co-ordination and vision
- An inability to communicate clearly
- Memory loss and blackouts
Spiking can take several forms:
- Putting alcohol into someone’s drink without their knowledge or permission
- Putting prescription or illegal drugs into someone’s alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink without their knowledge or permission
- Injecting someone with prescription or illegal drugs without their knowledge or permission
- Putting prescription or illegal drugs into someone’s food without their knowledge or permission
- Putting prescription or illegal drugs into someone’s cigarette or vape without their knowledge or permission
Why do people spike others?
Sometimes, people spike others ‘for fun’. It is illegal and is not justified in any circumstances. Sometimes the motivation is more sinister. Someone spikes another person to make it easier to commit another crime against them. This is often sexual offending (sexual assault or rape) but alternatively this could be theft, physical violence or another type of crime such as blackmail or extortion
Pictured are: PC Rachel Mayes, Neighbourhood Beat Manager; Andy Sinclair, Campaigns Officer Devon & Cornwall Police; Fleur Andrews; Sue Edwards, Devon & Cornwall Police Alcohol Licensing Officer; Sam Perkins, Module Leader for Business and Digital Marketing.
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