We are so pleased with our blankets – thank you so much for rushing these through, in time for our event! I received our goody bag and Express Corporate teddy too! Thank you so much! Fab service!" Hallucinations (seeing, hearing or touching things that aren't there) or having an 'out of body experience' Ensure the health and safety of the customer, which could be by calling emergency services, ensuring they are with trusted friends who will look after them, offering assistance if needed, and providing a safe space for the customer. The council also launched a drink spiking campaign in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police, licensed premises and the Bristol City Centre BID. The campaign aims to improve reporting, increase prosecutions, create a consistent response across licensed premises and ensure that victims of spiking are looked after and taken seriously. The team has developed posters and other assets that venues can display to raise awareness. Crucially, these assets are designed to ‘fit in’ with the surroundings in a licensed premises to increase the likelihood of them being used. The campaign has had some early successes. The materials are in 157 venues across the city, the police have allocated a dedicated resource for forensics testing as well as developing a clear process on how to deal with reports, and the campaign has successfully raised broader awareness of spiking amongst the public. Moreover, there was an arrest for spiking within the first four days of the campaign launching. Notes To Editors Tunbridge Wells adopted a proportionate response to the allegations of spiking. The council took the reports of spiking extremely seriously and worked closely with the management of the venue to ensure that improvements were made, whilst also recognising that the venue is generally very well run, that there have been no issues with the venue previously, and that the venue was proactive and willing to work with the council and police to ensure safety of its customers.

We are very aware that the majority of our drinks are served in glasses/cups of some nature,and that in the past we have not had anti-spiking measures in place for these products – welcome Stoptopps! These are self-adhesive single-use foil lids that will fit onto any drinking vessel up to 100mm wide.Stoptopps are available on request from the bar for all poured and served drinks. NightCap: The Drink Spiking Prevention Scrunchie Always make sure you're drinking your own drink and not some random glass. It's an easy mistake to make if you put your drink down on a table with lots of others, so we'd recommend keeping your hands on your glass as much as possible. I just wanted to say a huge thank you to yourself and the company for the fantastic coasters; they have arrived with me today and they are just amazing! They are everything I wanted, and I cannot wait to display them at our event on Friday!"

Open conversation update

Spiking is a despicable and incredibly dangerous act which can have devastating consequences for victims. In December 2021, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council licensing sub-committee suspended a premises licence following allegations of needle spiking. The police submitted an application for a summary review of the premises licence following crime reports indicating that victims had been subject to needle spiking in a licensed premises. The licensing sub-committee and representatives of the venue agreed to voluntary suspension of the licence for a two week period. Alcohol is most commonly used to spike drinks, either by adding some to a non-alcoholic drink or adding double instead of single measures.

As the new academic term approaches, many students will be preparing for freshers week, which is an extremely popular event in the university calendar. Freshers week typically includes themed nights out at local bars and clubs, with many offering a range of drinks for cheaper prices.

In an ideal world society would condition and teach its members, not to spike, and respect bodily agency and authority- and this is something we can all look towards. However, the supplying of Spikeys to bar’s customers is a good first step in terms of prevention. 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. More than 1,300 reports of needle spiking were made between September 2021 and January 2022 throughout the UK. You can also buy devices, like these bottle stoppers, which secure the top of bottles so you don't even have to think about it. Some bars, particularly student unions, even provide them for free – just ask the bar staff. In every college town in America, and really anywhere there’s a bar, such as a club or party, encountering date rape drugs in any drink is a possibility.

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. In response to an increase in reports of spiking in the city centre, the council worked with the police to write to licensed premises and provide advice about how to prevent spiking from happening. They also sent communications materials to venues, such as posters to display, to raise awareness of spiking and discourage perpetrators. Bristol City Council Drink spiking using (extra) alcohol, LSD, Rohypnol, or prescription drugs is a common and unfortunate criminal activity. Initially, the police requested that the licensing authority revoked the premises licence, however they withdrew this request as they were satisfied with the co-operation they received from the venue management and the updated conditions on the licence. Once the conditions were agreed, the sub-committee reinstated the licence with the new conditions. We offer resources and solutions that help people to stay safe, with a mission to raise awareness and ultimately stamp out spiking.Purple Flag - accreditation programme that recognises excellence in the management of town and city centres in the early evening and night-time economy. It also recognises the vibrancy of the local night-time economy. Although certain pieces of evidence can be stored if you don't want to report what happened straight away, keep in mind that the CCTV footage of certain venues and even certain services of public transport may be wiped and taped over on a regular basis.

After being drugged while out one night, Boston attorney Michael Abramson went on to develop DrinkSavvy drinkware that continuously monitors beverages for date rape drugs. The company also developed straws that could detect GHB, ketamine and roofies. Even if you leave your glass on a table with a bunch of friends, the chances are they're not going to be paying super close attention. It's much safer to finish up your drink before going anywhere. Training - responding: Provide staff training on the issue, including what to say/do and not say/do, and any relevant policies.Support your staff: Make clear the routes for reporting unacceptable behaviour while at work and supporting cultural change. Victims should never feel ashamed or that it is their fault, and it is vital the police are aware so that perpetrators can be identified and brought to justice, and we can prevent others from falling victim to this heinous crime.” Case studies The Local Government Association, which represents councils across England and Wales, and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners are urging young people to learn about the dangers of spiking and take precautions to stay safe, ahead of the new university term. If you think you or someone you’re with has been spiked, tell a bar manager, bouncer or member of staff and report it to the Police The Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) initiative - developed by the Metropolitan Police, WAVE is a free tool that aims to increase the skills and knowledge of those working in licensed premises to identify vulnerability and make appropriate interventions to keep people safe.