POLICE Scotland have issued a "significant risk of harm" warning after hundreds of people reported being "spiked" across the country.
Figures, shared through a Freedom of Information request, show 144 allegations from people who said they had been spiked last year.
In the 10 years from 2016 to 2025 there were a total of 929 reports of spiking across Scotland, with 117 reports of spiking by mid-August this year.
Under the law, administering a substance to someone through their drink or by injection without their consent is illegal.
Officers are now working with bars, pubs, universities and other student locations to raise awareness and offer advice to the public.
Police Scotland said: "Police Scotland continues to investigate reports of 'spiking'. Spiking, whether by adding drugs or alcohol to someone’s drink, or by injection, or any other method, without their consent, is a criminal offence.
"It can put people at significant risk of harm. Officers are not always able to determine the reasons why a perpetrator carries out an assault in this way, but every report is taken seriously and investigated robustly."
It added it was continuing to "work with a range of partners, locally and nationally, to ensure pubs and clubs are safe spaces for all".
The force added: "We are working in communities, with licensees, pubs and clubs, to provide advice and support and to offer bystander training to help spot the signs of when someone may be at risk.
"We have also reached out to student communities to offer advice, support and reassurance. We would encourage anyone who believes they have had their drink spiked or who has been assaulted in this way to contact Police Scotland on 101 or in an emergency 999."
Chief superintendent Derek Cree said: "We continue to investigate reports from people having been spiked. We would like to reassure you that every report is taken seriously and investigated.
"If a sufficiency of evidence is gained, reports are submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. People should be able to go out for a night out without fear of being spiked.
"We are working with a range of partners, both locally and nationally, to ensure licensed premises are safe spaces for all. We work in partnership with other emergency services, student bodies, universities/colleges and Third Sector organisations to raise awareness and provide support for anyone affected.
"We would encourage anyone who believes they have had their drink spiked or been assaulted in this way to contact Police Scotland on 101 or in an emergency 999."
Whilst there is no classification for "spiking" specifically, there are two other offences that are relevant: "drugging" and "administering a substance for sexual purposes", which falls under Section 11 of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009.
Police Scotland explained: "Drugging is a crime at Common Law when drugs are feloniously administered with intent to produce stupefaction. There need be no further intent, and it is not necessary that injury to the person be caused."
Following a recording system change, it is now possible to breakdown the figures by sex from January 1, 2024.
This shows:
- 2024: 83 recorded offences where the victim was female, of which 12 were detected.
- 2025: 103 recorded offences where the victim was female, of which 17 were detected.
- 2026 (as at August 17, 2026): 90 recorded offences where the victim was female, of which eight were detected.
