Police are joining up with partner agencies as part of a new testing scheme to ensure more people have the confidence to report suspected spiking incidents and to reassure those who believe they may have been spiked.
Last year a total of 140 spiking offences were reported to Nottinghamshire Police – an increase on the 124 reports we received during 2024.
Most victims were young women, with the majority of whom were aged 18-21.
Police also received reports of young men being spiked too.
While the number of reported spiking offences has fallen since 2022, police said they are aware how daunting it can be for victims to report spiking and spiking-related crimes, such as theft and sexual assault, and they believe spiking in Nottinghamshire is still under-reported.
By working with partners including NHS professionals, hospitals, both universities, schools and colleges, local authorities, fellow blue light services, and Public Health colleagues, police want to encourage more victims to come forward and build up their confidence in the knowledge they will be listened to and supported.
• Two arrests after reported spiking incident in Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire Police has now been chosen to take part in a Home Office pilot initiative focused on increasing intelligence around spiking, improving victim reporting, and providing reassurance to victims.
As part of the pilot, which is running for three months, they will also be increasing public awareness about what spiking is, how to report it, and what to do if it happens to you or a friend.
Awareness work will include deployments of a Digivan which will be used to help promote important crime prevention information on a large screen in key locations in Nottingham, including student hotspot areas, as well as in other parts of Nottinghamshire including Mansfield, Newark, and Bassetlaw.
If people report spiking offences to police now potential victims will be able to get a dedicated urine sample testing kit.
To help understand reports of spiking and make people feel more comfortable, during the second phase of the pilot, which runs from 1 April, victims will also be able to collect multi-drug urine test kits from partner venues, not just from the police, helping to obtain early evidence and to support and reassure victims.
These testing kits will be available from numerous partner venues, including local hospitals and NHS facilities.
For more details, including where you can get the kits from and how to use them, visit Spiking | Police.uk
Victims must first submit details online and will then receive a code to provide to the police/partner venue before collecting a kit.
Police want to reassure victims that Nottinghamshire Police will only use personal information when the law allows them to do so and where it is necessary and proportionate.
These drug test kits will only be used to detect drugs used in spiking cases and help provide people with reassurance by confirming – or ruling out – any suspicions that they have been spiked.
They will not be used to take action against people who may have knowingly taken drugs.
Spiking is a serious crime and the use of recreational drugs does not change that.
DCI Chris Berryman, Nottinghamshire Police’s spiking lead, said: “As a police service we are committed to working shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG) and this includes working together to prevent and reduce spiking and ensure victims feel supported and reassured.
“Our participation in this Home Office pilot demonstrates our commitment to tackling spiking and ensuring that people on a night out feel safe.
“We’re here to support you whether you’re ready to report a spiking incident to us or if you’d prefer to talk to someone else.
“We will take your report seriously. We won’t judge you, we’ll treat you with respect, and we’ll always put your health and wellbeing first.
“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.
“The sooner evidence can be collected, the greater the chance of identifying offenders and stopping them from harming others.”
You should always call 999 in an emergency.
Otherwise, victims can report an incident by calling us on 101 or report online here ocrnpf
For more advice on spiking, including how to report incidents and where you can get medical help, support and advice, click on this link Report spiking | Nottinghamshire Police
