Agenda item

The Chair introduced the report which updated the board on the LGA’s activity in response to reports of an increase in the prevalence of spiking incidents, accompanying an update to the Board from Gabby Chamberlain, spiking lead at the Home Office.

The Chair introduced Gabby, who informed the board that spiking by needles was a new phenomenon that had got the attention of media and subsequently the government. In response the Home Secretary had asked the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) to review the scale and extent of the issue. A range of actions had been taken including; developing a forensic strategy, including developing rapid testing kits; joining up work with the Crown Prosecution Service and others to improve the response to victims, and communication campaigns in specific locations. The government was also supporting the role of pilot initiatives to improve the safety of women in public spaces. The Home Office were committed to considering a case for spiking as a specific criminal offence, working alongside the police and other stakeholders to build evidence. The work would inform a statutory report which the Home Office would present before Parliament by the end of April 2023.

The Government would shortly be responding to the Home Affairs Select Committee report on spiking. Much of the work identified by the committee is already in train, with a strong focus on partnership working nationally and locally. In relation to the local recommendations, the view is that current legislation and the Licensing Act section 182 guidance are broadly sufficient to encourage local areas what they can to tackle and support this locally. The Minister recently wrote to licensing committees on this but is looking at what more could be done, so the Board’s local experience on this would be very useful.

Cllr Bell was invited to follow up Gabby’s remarks as one of the Board’s licensing champion and following her evidence to the HASC earlier this year; then members subsequently made the following comments:

·       Cllr Bell added that there were issues around gathering evidence and the motives behind instances of spiking (as there is no strong link between spiking and additional crime and it would require in-depth medical knowledge needed to spike someone with a needle). There are issues with reporting and low public confidence, as victims often felt shame to admit being associated with the incident and in some cases, by the time they come forward it could no longer be proved.

·       Cllr Bell raised concerns that within the licensing regime, premises that have had their licence revoked can continue to operate until the appeal was heard, if they opted to appeal. A poorly run premises in St Helen’s had continued to operate for a further three months after having its licence revoked, and only then voluntarily surrendered it after a serious rape on the premises rather than because the appeal had been heard.

·       Gabby responded that research was being done specifically around the offence and broader work. Some areas were using dip stick tests, but whilst she agreed that they provide reassurance they weren’t able to test a full range of drugs, so should be used with caution. The Home Office were looking at how they could help speed up the process of testing and current kits on the market. As for the motive, Gabby commented that there is limited understanding around the motivation, particularly when it came down to needle spiking as there was no secondary offence, but work is ongoing with the National Crime Agency to try to understand perpetrator behaviour.

·       Members commented that there was a shortage qualified of door staff and the lack of female security staff and asked what conversations there had been between the Home Office and the hospitality industry to help tackle the issue. Gabby replied that the data held by the Home Office suggested that there was a year-on-year increase in people who have obtained Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence, both male and female, but low wages and the effects of the pandemic had led to job changes.

·       Members highlighted that spiking was largely a crime perpetrated against young people: the police data provided in the Parliamentary report noted that 73% of victims were 18- to 21-year-olds. The response needed to be targeted to premises that young people would go to, for example student bars and festivals. Gabby responded that festivals organisers were being asked to be prepared for incidents, and that work and communications were being targeted.

·       Members added that buying someone double drinks without their knowledge would count as spiking and there was a link between alcohol consumption. The Chair added that she felt they were separate issues and was a wider piece of work that should be considered.

·       Members discussed whether it was appropriate to think about this issue as part of a wider issue where we need to build community resilience, as alongside some spiking being undertaken with an ulterior motive, there are also numerous cases of opportunistic advantage being taken of people who are drunk. Some members felt that there is a risk that by looking at spiking in isolation we miss a wider issue.

The Chair thanked Gabby for attending the meeting and taking time to provide an insightful discussion amongst board members.

Decision:

Members of the Safer and Stronger Communities Board noted the report.