North Yorkshire Police launches spiking crackdown ahead of Freshers' Week

North Yorkshire Police is running a week of action against spiking as Freshers' Week gets underway across the county.

The Spiking Intensification Week will run from 19th to 26th September as part of Operation Lester, the national anti-spiking response.

Spiking is defined as giving someone drugs or alcohol without their knowledge or permission.

This can include drink spiking, needle spiking, vape or cigarette spiking, and food spiking.

Giving someone more alcohol or drugs than they were expecting and consented to, such as double shots instead of singles, is also considered spiking, according to the force.

Anyone who believes they have been a victim of spiking is being encouraged to report it to North Yorkshire Police as soon as possible.

Reports can be made online via the North Yorkshire Police website, by calling 101, or by dialling 999 in an emergency.

Inspector Andy Godfrey, from North Yorkshire Police's Local Policing Support team and the force lead for Operation Lester, said it was important every possible incident was reported.

"It is important that we know about every possible spiking incident so we can investigate, even if no other crime has taken place or it took place a long time ago," he said.

"Drugs can pass through the system quickly, which is why reporting as soon as possible is vital."

Inspector Godfrey said victims should not be put off reporting spiking by symptoms that can be difficult to identify.

"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," he said.

"You are never wasting police time by reporting spiking, even if you are unsure. We are here to help you, and we will listen to you and take you seriously."

He also said people should not avoid reporting spiking out of concern over their own drug use.

"Don't let the fact that you might have knowingly taken illegal drugs stop you from reporting. It is not an offence to have illegal drugs in your system and police will want to make sure you are safe first and foremost," he said.

Officers said a non-invasive urine sample may be taken to establish what someone may have been spiked with.

According to the force, some drugs leave the body within twelve hours, so testing as soon as possible is important, although testing will be considered for up to four days after an incident.

Test results take three weeks to come back, and North Yorkshire Police said victims will be kept updated on progress.

The force's Licensing team is running activities throughout the week to raise awareness of spiking, including visits to freshers' fairs to speak to students and hand out safety information.

The team is also carrying out a Spiking Survey, which has run for the past two years and saw the number of responses double last year, according to the force.

Licensing officers are visiting venues hosting student nights to make sure staff have up-to-date WAVE (Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement) training, which helps them spot and support vulnerable people, including potential victims and suspects.

The York Neighbourhood Policing Team is also carrying out highly visible patrols in and around city venues to support the operation, the force said.

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