Police investigating multiple reports of spiking in Newcastle town centre
They happened in Yates at Ironmarket last weekend
An investigation's underway after women were spiked on a night out in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
The victims were in Yates, on Ironmarket, between 10pm and 11pm on Saturday (18 October) when the incident happened.
Staffordshire Police have so far said they're looking at two women's reports.
We've also spoken with a woman from Stoke-on-Trent who says she was a victim at the venue last weekend, when a man brushed past her and spiked her with a needle.
Detectives are investigating and are asking for anyone who saw anything suspicious to come forward.
A spokesperson for Stonegate Group which operates Yates said:
“We take the safety and security of our guests very seriously and we have a number of measures in place to best protect our guests as much as we can to ensure they have a good night out. We carry out enhanced searches on our door by our fully trained SIA door team and all staff are WAVE and Ask Angela trained. In addition, we provide drink covers and bottle toppers. Our venues are fully covered by 24hr CCTV; however, we do also remind guests to always remain vigilant and report any suspicious or unusual behaviour as we all work together in providing a safe environment. We have been cooperating fully with the police as part of their enquiries into the reported incidents.”
Be vigilant
Police are reminding people that notice something suspicious to report this behaviour to officers as soon as possible so that they can investigate and take action against anyone committing offences in Staffordshire.
It can be difficult to know if someone has spiked you as symptoms vary depending on what someone has spiked you with. They can be similar to having consumed excess alcohol.
Newcastle's Community Safety Partnership says it's reviewing the situation and continuing work to prioritise safety in the town centre and its night time economy.
Charl Pearce, Newcastle-under-Lyme BID Manager:
“Everyone has the right to feel safe on a night out. We’re continuing to work closely with Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Staffordshire Police and our local venues to ensure that anyone visiting Newcastle can enjoy themselves safely and confidently. These incidents are being fully investigated and we urge anyone with information to contact police. In the meantime, our partners remain committed to proactive safety measures and ongoing collaboration to protect our community.”
A number of measures are active and in place over Friday and Saturday nights in Newcastle, including:
The town benefits from a number of initiatives designed to support visitors on a night out, including:
• CCTV coverage: The town centre is covered by an extensive, upgraded CCTV network monitored in partnership with the Borough Council and Police, providing reassurance and supporting swift incident response.
• Safe Space: Operated as part of the Get Home Safe initiative, the Safe Space on the High Street is open on key nights to offer anyone who feels unwell, unsafe or vulnerable a place to rest and receive support from trained staff and volunteers.
• Taxi Marshals: Taxi marshals operate on key dates and busy weekends to help ensure visitors get home safely and support the management of taxi ranks in the town centre.
• Venue Training & Support: Free anti-spiking and vulnerability awareness training has been delivered to licensed premises this year, with ongoing support provided through the Pubwatch and PABCIS (Partnership Approach to Business Crime in Staffordshire) network. Venues have been supplied with spiking awareness materials and drink protective resources to help safeguard customers.
• Town Centre Radios: Venues and security teams are connected through the town centre radio system, allowing for quick communication and rapid response to any concerns.
• Regular Partnership Meetings: Monthly Pubwatch meetings bring together venues, police, BID representatives and licensing officers to share information, discuss exclusions and promote best practice.
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