Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips has urged bystanders to take action and assist women who appear unsafe during the Christmas party season, following concerns over spiking incidents. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Phillips encouraged people to approach women and ask, “Is everything all right?” to ensure their safety in potentially dangerous situations.
The call for action comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer convened a meeting with police chiefs, hospitality leaders, and transport officials at Downing Street to coordinate efforts to combat spiking. The government has already pledged to provide extra training for bar staff to help them identify and prevent spiking, support victims, and preserve evidence for investigations.
Labour has reiterated its commitment to making the act of drugging someone’s drink without consent a specific criminal offence. Although spiking is currently illegal, the government has promised to define it as a distinct crime, though no timeline has been set for new legislation. The move to create a specific offence has been backed by MPs for over two years, with many arguing it could deter perpetrators and encourage more victims to come forward.
As part of the broader efforts to address violence against women and girls, Prime Minister Starmer emphasized his personal commitment to halving such incidents over the next decade. He described tackling spiking as a central priority in ensuring women’s safety both in nightlife settings and while traveling home.
At the meeting, various stakeholders discussed strategies to reduce spiking. Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg shared that plainclothes officers were being deployed near bars and clubs to identify predatory behavior, while British Transport Police Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi announced the relaunch of 61016, a free text service for reporting harassment on trains.
Kate Nicholl, Chief Executive of UK Hospitality, welcomed the government’s commitment to training up to 10,000 bar staff across the UK to identify the signs of spiking and understand the steps to take when it happens.
The government’s renewed focus on this underreported crime aims to build victims’ confidence in coming forward and enhance the safety of nights out for women. As the issue gains attention at the highest levels, many hope these efforts will make a tangible difference in preventing spiking incidents and supporting affected individuals.