It is one of the most shocking crimes there is.
Every year hundreds of people enjoying a night out have their drinks spiked.
Figures show an increase of 150 per cent in the past couple of years. Powerful chemicals are slipped into unsuspecting victims’ drinks.
They are then robbed or abused by the evil perpetrators. It’s terrifying.
Victims remember nothing and suffer serious consequences. It is not just the material cost.
It’s the humiliation and the uncertainty around what happened. There are lots of stories about the devastation this crime causes.
Some people are too frightened to go out again.
And prosecutions are difficult because victims often report incidents outside a 72-hour window and the drugs have left their body, meaning evidence is hard to come by.
But there are things that you can do to protect yourself.
Be on your guard in busy pubs or clubs and keep an eye out for pals on a night out.
In the meantime, authorities need to toughen up on crimes like these.
We must make sure there is an environment where people feel safe to report attacks or robberies after having their drinks spiked. And they need to be reassured that authorities will take their complaints seriously.
There needs to be a clear message to people who attack in this fashion.
You are going to be dealt with swiftly, seriously and face a harsh penalty.
For hundreds of people every year, a simple night out turns into a nightmare.
And that has to stop.
