How have universities taken action on spiking?

Publications

Spiking: what universities can do

Our practice note to support universities’ response to spiking as we enter the 2022–23 academic year.

The guidance has been positively received by the sector and has already been used by universities to inform and improve their responses to the issue.

Here are just a few examples of how universities have taken action.

What do we know about reports of spiking?

The nature of spiking means it can be very difficult for victims to know afterwards what has happened to them, and like many crimes, spiking is significantly under-reported to the police.

However, data published by the National Police Chiefs’ Council shows that there were just under 5,000 reports of spiking from September 2021 to August 2022. Of those, approximately half reported spiking by needle, and 43% were reports of drink spiking.

The average age of those who reported spiking incidents is 27, with the majority of victims (74%) identifying as female.

The figures show that the majority of reports (64%) happened on weekends and 59% take place in pubs, bars and clubs. The data also shows that the average age of those who reported spiking incidents is 27, with the majority of victims (74%) identifying as female.

Middlesex University

Middlesex University students produced a spiking campaign film, ‘What happened to you last night?’, to support the launch of the spiking practice note.

The film aims include raising awareness of spiking and addressing barriers to reporting, encouraging victims and witnesses to report spiking incidents. It emphasises the aftereffects and impact of spiking on victims.

I like how this group collective message of survival builds on community, as well as warning of the dangers and the lasting emotional effects drink spiking can cause. Our film highlights the removal of consent and the fracturing of reality that can occur following spiking.

Jack Harper

Student at Middlesex University involved in the development of the campaign

[The film is] very different from a lot of campaigns out there, as it focuses on the morning after and the emotional impact. Contributing to this cultural shift in the attitude towards spiking has been very meaningful

Hunter Clint

Student at Middlesex University and casting director for the campaign film

Jack Harper

Hunter smiling against a dark background

Hunter Clint

Middlesex University has also taken action in other areas:

Anonymous reporting tool

Middlesex University has provided information about spiking and how to report it through its Report it to stop it tool. The tool also allows students to anonymously report misconduct.

The university used the film and tool as part of an awareness raising campaign during induction at the beginning of the academic year.

Action plan

The university has also used the practice note to carry out a gap analysis and put together an action plan.

This involved assessing the university’s current position against each of the practice note recommendations and determining further actions and owners of these actions.

Owners come from across the university, including communications, safeguarding leads, the Chief People Officer, student support and wellbeing, facilities and security, and student affairs.

University of Exeter

The University of Exeter has responded to the practice note by improving its communications to students about spiking and providing further training, advice and resources.

Communicating to students

The university has communicated clear reporting routes to students through multiple channels. This includes assurances from Devon and Cornwall Police that police will not pursue with students any recreational drugs found in their systems during testing for suspected spiking incidents.

Posters in key areas include a QR code linking to safety advice including advice on drink spiking. This was developed in partnership with Devon and Cornwall Police and Falmouth University.

The university’s communication campaigns have also included a focus on perpetrators for the first time. Posters and campaigns on the consequences of spiking were placed in highly visible spaces.

Training and advice

Spiking is now included in the campus safety guide. The university has carried out extensive work on improving student safety, led by the university’s Gender Safety Group, working with the Students’ Guild and key external partners.

This includes:

bystander intervention training for all students
a new night bus to support students returning from the city
improved lighting and CCTV
a new safe space in the city centre, created through the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund

Safety kits and resources

The university provides free drink testing strips, bottle stoppers and passive alarms for students. So far, the university has handed out 2000 personal alarms, 5000 bottle stoppers, 500 silicon bottle tops and 2000 drink testing strips.

The SafeZone app is also available to students for free. Once installed, if a student or member of staff presses ‘emergency’, ‘help’, or ‘first aid’, their location is sent to relevant staff on campus to respond.

Nottingham Trent University (NTU)

Nottingham Trent University is building on its work on student safety and working with partners.

Student safety

NTU is continuing the work on student safety it started last academic year, including providing:

designated safe spaces on each campus
bystander training
a safe taxis scheme

Working with partners

The university’s partners in Nottingham Police are sending a message to NTU students to welcome them to the city and communicate safety and signposting information. The university intends to continue to monitor trends and collaborate with other universities.

Resources

Police information on spiking

You can find information about the effects of spiking and how to report it on the UK policing website.

Best Bar None

Best Bar None is an accreditation scheme backed by the Home Office and the drinks industry. It aims to improve standards in alcohol licensed premises, such as bars and clubs in students’ unions.

The scheme can help universities demonstrate and promote their commitment to student safety. An independent, specialist assessor conducts an annual on-site assessment. The assessment recognises best practice in responsible venue management, including managing safety and vulnerability, while offering advice and guidance for continuous improvement through a post assessment report.

For more information, visit the Best Bar None website or email bbn.admin@bestbarnone.com.

Spike Aware UK

Spike Aware UK is a registered charity made up of people who have either been victims of spiking or had their lives impacted in some way by spiking.

The charity was started in 2017 by Colin and Mandy Mackie following the sudden and tragic death of their son Greg Mackie. Greg died as a result of his drink being spiked.

Spike Aware UK aims to provoke action to prevent drink and needle spiking crime happening in the UK, including local and national campaigning. It also provides support to victims.

For more information, visit the Spike Aware website or join their mailing list.