UK SPIKING LAW

25 November 2024

Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster, said:

"Hospitality Ulster welcomes the introduction of the pilot scheme that will see 10,000 bar staff across England and Wales trained to deal with incidents of drink spiking. We also welcome the announcement that the UK Government is to make spiking a standalone criminal offence.”

"Northern Ireland's pubs, bars and nightclubs are the safest places to enjoy a drink and socialise, with reports of spiking thankfully rare, but every operator knows that one incident is one incident too many.

“We work closely with the PSNI and the Executive Office, Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Team and as chair of the NI Safer Socialising Steering Group, Hospitality Ulster takes the ending of violence against women and girls, who spiking disproportionately affects, seriously. Spiking, whether done by bad operators adding drugs to a drink, or by friends who think it is funny to add an extra measure to a mate’s drink, is wrong and must be stopped.”

"It is imperative that everyone take on the responsibility to stop any occurrences of spiking, in any form from happening no matter how rare and avoid placing responsibility on potential victims. With that in mind, Hospitality Ulster would welcome the introduction of both this pilot training scheme and new law in Northern Ireland and we look to Stormont to follow suit."