North Yorkshire Police issues guidance on what to do if you've been spiked
North Yorkshire Police has taken to social media to highlight the issue of spiking, and what to do if you think you or a friend has become a victim.
Spiking is giving someone alcohol or drugs without them knowing or agreeing - for example, in their drink or with a needle. Spiking can happen to anyone anywhere, no matter their age, gender, sexuality or ethnicity. It can be carried out by strangers or by people you know.
Most cases of spiking don’t result in sexual assault or theft. But spiking can cause severe distress, emotional harm and anxiety. It can take a long time to recover from someone spiking you.
Spiking can put you at greater risk of injury, theft or assault. It is also dangerous to drive when someone has spiked you. This is why we treat spiking reports as seriously as those of violent, physical attacks.
How to tell if someone has spiked you
It can be difficult to know if someone has spiked you. The symptoms vary depending on what someone has spiked you with. They can be similar to having excess alcohol. If you start to feel strange or more drunk than you thought you should be, seek help straight away. If you feel seriously unwell, call 999 or ask someone to get you emergency medical assistance.
There is no right or wrong way to feel. Some victims need emergency medical assistance, others don't. Whatever your situation, we are here for you.
Reporting spiking
Spiking is a high-impact crime that rightly gets a lot of publicity. The chances of someone spiking you on a night out seem to be low. But not all victims of spiking report it to the police. Because of this police say they can’t be sure how many spiking victims there really are.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “We would like to know about any spiking incident, no matter how long ago it happened. Our main concern is to make sure that the victim gets the support they need. Once the victim is well enough, we are here to support and investigate what happened.
“Your spiking report enables us to launch this investigation and prevent others from being spiked.
“You are not to blame
“Sometimes people are afraid to speak to the police. For example, because they took illegal drugs or were drinking alcohol before someone spiked them. Sometimes they have little or no recollection of what happened. They may have a criminal record and worry that the authorities won’t treat them fairly. They might worry that no one will believe them.
“No matter who you are, how long ago the spiking happened or what took place, our prime concern is to give you the support you need. We listen, understand and guide you through the investigation process.”
Find out more
The North Yorkshire Police website is full of common-sense information and advice about spiking, including how to report it. Just search 'North Yorkshire Police spiking' or click here: https://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/spiking-advice/spiking/