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The Independent UK

National

Maya Oppenheim

Thousands of spiking incidents emerge ahead of freshers’ week with vapes used to target victims

Rosie Smith Police

(MBI/Alamy/PA)

Thousands of incidents of spiking have emerged in England and Wales ahead of freshers’ week kicking off at universities – with vapes now a target for spiking.

New data from the National Police Chiefs’ Council, seen by The Independent, reveals there were 6,732 reported spiking offences between May 2022 and May 2023 – including 957 needle spiking offences.

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