Police detectives in Sussex are investigating six separate reports of women being injected whilst on nights out in Brighton.
The seaside city's Chief Superintendent, Justin Burtenshaw, said the reports were being taken "very seriously" in light of recent nationwide coverage and concerns of spiking and called for any possible victims to let police or bar staff know as soon as possible.
It comes soon after the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) revealed there have been 198 confirmed reports of drink spiking in September and October across various parts of the United Kingdom, plus 24 further reports of some form of injection.
The detectives said two women reported feeling unwell after going out in the city on October 19, whilst four more reported being injected while in the city centre over the following days.
A woman in Eastbourne, also in Sussex, meanwhile, also reported being injected while on a night out on October 23.
Ch Supt Burtenshaw said: "Everybody has the right to enjoy a night out in safety and we fully understand the concerns around these troubling reports, not only in Sussex but across the country.
"Unannounced licensing checks throughout the night provide an additional level of support and if you see our officers out and about, please do speak to them – or licensed security staff – about any concerns or suspicious behaviour.
"Please be assured that we take all reports incredibly seriously and ask anybody who believes they may have been a victim of spiking to let police or bar staff know as soon as possible so they can be tested before potential drugs leave their system and evidence can be gathered.
"Reports can also be made to police online, via 101 or by dialling 999 in an emergency."
Elsewhere in the UK, another investigation is underway in Preston after a woman reported being injected with an unknown substance at the weekend.
Police were also called to a separate incident in the Lancashire city on Saturday where two women reported having their drinks spiked, Lancashire Constabulary said.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
