Police are asking people to be vigilant after three spiking incidents have been reported to them in West Cumbria over the weekend.
The reports were of an unknown substance being added to drinks in Whitehaven, with a woman and two men affected.
Two reports had also been made the previous weekend in Whitehaven.
Police said enquiries were ongoing, with detectives reviewing CCTV and looking at forensics.
Cumbria Constabulary said: “We are also aware of social media posts circulating regarding needle spiking, no reports have been made to police but we encourage anyone believed to have been spiked to report it to police.”
Detective Inspector Calvin Greaves, of Cumberland CID, said: “We are asking people to be vigilant whilst out over the festive period and report any incident to us so we can investigate.
“Spiking is an awful act, whatever the intention, the outcome is leaving individuals vulnerable and feeling unsafe.
“We would ask that if you believe they have been a victim of spiking to contact us.
“We will investigate regardless of when the offence is believed to have occurred.
“Reporting offences of this nature is at times a daunting prospect and we recognise the significant trauma spiking has on victims and help and support for this can be offered and signposted by speaking to officers.”
Throughout the festive period across Cumbria, the force will have more high-visibility officers as well as specialist plain clothed officers deployed to identify anyone displaying inappropriate or predatory behaviour, it said.
The response will include:
- The regular police patrols put out to respond to incidents, ensure safety and offer reassurance in the night-time economy during the festive season
- Welfare patrols run by neighbourhood police teams, who will concentrate on the welfare of women and girls while out at this busy time of the year.
- Operation Vigilant patrols – a blend of uniform officers and plain clothed officers who identify those displaying predatory or unacceptable behaviour in the night-time economy, focussing on hot spots where violence against women and girls might take place.
The welfare and Vigilant patrols will be run across the busiest areas for nights out, including Barrow, Bowness, Kendal, Whitehaven and Carlisle.
What is spiking?
Spiking is giving someone else drugs or alcohol without their knowledge or permission. For example:
- Drink spiking – adding drugs or alcohol to someone else’s drink.
- Needle spiking – injecting drugs into someone else’s body with a needle or auto-injector pen.
- Vape or cigarette spiking – giving someone drugs in a cigarette or e-cigarette.
- Food spiking – adding drugs to someone’s food.
Giving someone more alcohol or drugs than they were expecting and had consented to is also spiking. For example, giving someone double shots instead of single ones.
It is sensible not to accept a drink from a stranger or leave your drink unattended. But sometimes people get spiked by people they know and trust too.
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, the police are here for you.
Reporting attempted spiking
You can report attempted spiking to police, where a spiking attempt was disrupted before anyone became a victim.
For example:
- If a drink has an unexpected smell, taste or colour.
- If you notice a tablet or powder in a drink.
- If you see someone trying to spike a drink.
- If someone tried to inject you with drugs but failed.
If you notice someone behaving suspiciously around a group they clearly don’t know, you can tell security or a member of staff, or report to police.
