A ground-breaking crackdown on drink spiking in Bristol has been hailed a success after reported incidents rocketed. There were 198 cases recorded by the police in the last six months compared with only 39 for the whole of 2019, a council meeting heard.
The campaign in Bristol – the only UK city where the trial is taking place – is focused on catching the culprit, or ultimately stopping them spiking drinks in the first place, by launching into action moments after the crime has happened to gather vital forensic evidence. Carly Heath, night-time economy adviser to Bristol City Council, which is spearheading the pilot in partnership with Avon & Somerset Police and Bristol City Centre BID (Business Improvements District), told the licensing committee that 155 venues had signed up to the scheme.
She said: “They have a drink testing kit behind the bar so if someone suspects their drink has been spiked, they can go to the bar operator to have it tested for substances, which is helping police in that early triaging and early forensics gathering to get the forensics needed to prove there has been a drink spiking incident. Police have been provided with urine testing kits, so if the person does not still have their drink available, the police can test that person.
