Spiking Reports Decline in Devon and Cornwall, Charity Urges Continued Vigilance

The charity Stamp Out Spiking reported no decrease in suspected incidents, despite a reduction in the number of officially recorded cases. New figures from Devon and Cornwall Police indicate 160 reports of spiking in the year leading up to July 2024, marking a 7% drop from the corresponding period in the previous year. The force attributed this decline “largely down to… preventative work” conducted with its partners. Dawn Dines, chief executive of the Exeter-based charity, stated that the frequency of reports made to her organization had remained consistent, advising the public to continue to be vigilant. Devon and Cornwall Police documented 173 spiking reports in the year to July 2023, and 519 in the year to July 2022. Of the 160 reported spiking incidents in the year to July 2024, 110 cases involved a test being conducted, with 14 of these (9%) yielding positive results. The force noted that the proportion of all spiking reports resulting in a positive test had stayed consistent at approximately 4%. This contrasts with a national figure of 5.5% of spiking reports leading to a positive test. Insp Martin Tregaskes, drug and alcohol harm reduction lead, commented: “People have every right to expect to be able to go out and enjoy their evenings across our region.” He added, “While it is important to be aware of your environment and look out for each other, thanks to our work with partners, there is good awareness of the potential issue of spiking in the evening and night-time economy.” Tregaskes further advised, “Having said that, if you think you may have been spiked, tell staff, security or a trusted friend immediately and report it to the police… whenever and whatever has happened.” He emphasized that “Any form of spiking is illegal and the consequences for anyone found to have spiked another person in any way can be severe, including long custodial sentences.” He concluded by stating, “Further crimes committed against a spiked person carry their own penalties.” Mrs. Dines welcomed the decrease in reported spiking incidents, but noted that this trend was not consistent with the number of reports her charity was receiving. “We’ve had a problem in Plymouth recently, but we’ve also had reports in Exeter, Falmouth and on Dartmoor,” she said. Mrs. Dines attributed the low proportion of suspected cases resulting in confirmed cases to society “not taking samples in time.” She urged, “If this crime happens, please make sure that you ring the police, make sure you report to the NHS, so we can gain those all important samples that are needed to start gaining convictions.”