Hucknall: Nottinghamshire Police tackling reports of spiking through joint approach

Nottinghamshire Police have teamed up with partner agencies to investigate a recent spate of spiking reports.

The force has received 44 spiking reports dating from 4 September 2021, 12 of these have alleged spiking by something sharp as opposed to a traditional method of contaminated alcoholic drinks. The first of these 12 were reported on 2 October 2021.

These figures have increased throughout October with the largest number of reports being made last weekend (15 October).

Reported offences have taken place on different days at different venues and are not believed to be targeted to one specific city venue.

While the majority of reports being made to officers are from younger women, many of whom are students, there have also been reports of young men being potentially spiked too.

A number of victims reporting being spiked by some sort of injection have reported effects consistent with a substance being administered.

In one case an injury has also been sustained which could be consistent with a needle.

However, there have been no other linked offences committed as a result of anyone being spiked.

A 20-year-old man was arrested as part of a wider investigation into spiking after officers received a report of suspicious activity in Lower Parliament Street, in Nottingham city centre, on 16 October. He remains on conditional bail and enquiries are continuing.

Nottinghamshire police have held meetings with their partner agencies including, the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham City Council, East Midlands Ambulance Service, Public Health and hospital trusts in order to develop the response to these incidents.

More officers have been deployed to the city centre over the next few weekends. A dedicated team of detectives are investigating these allegations.

A planned operation with the force's police dogs is also due to take place on Saturday (23 October) with officers patrolling the city centre streets and engaging with people enjoying a night out.

Operation Guardian is now well established in the city centre and across other parts of Nottinghamshire and is highly successful in tackling drugs and reducing violence which is often associated with drug use and dealing in the night time economy.

Superintendent Kathryn Craner, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "We are working really closely with our partner agencies throughout Nottinghamshire and have met as recently as today (Wednesday 20 October).

"I would like to reassure people we are working incredibly hard to investigate these reports and are placing a lot of resources into these enquiries and also have a dedicated team of detectives working on any reports made to us.

"Nottingham is a wonderful city and a vibrant place to come for a night out and we want people to experience the great night time economy that we have to offer not only to local people but also visitors from other areas.

"I understand that these reports and those from other cities are concerning but want to reassure people that we have been working with our partner agencies and licensed premises throughout the city to help tackle any reports of spiking.

"By taking a multi-agency approach and coming together to work on these reports we are able to use a vast amount of resources.

"It is vital that we investigate any reports as quickly as possible which means being able to secure evidence really quickly.

"This gives us the best chance of being able to progress our investigations.

"One of the really important messages for anybody coming into our city centre is that we need you or your friends to report any incident as soon as possible.

"If you believe you have been spiked, feel you have been spiked, suspect anybody else has been spiked or see any suspicious activity we need you to report that immediately.

"I cannot overstate the importance of reporting as quickly as possible."

For further advice on spiking please see here.