Reports of spiking incidents across Stirling’s pubs, bars and clubs have risen sharply in the last two years, according to figures obtained by the Stirling Observer.
Of 11 incidents reported to Police Scotland in the last five years, 10 of those occurred between 2021 and 2022.
It comes after we told how there were a spate of alleged spiking incidents at bars and clubs in the city in October and November last year – as nightclubs opened for the first time in almost 600 days following the easing of Covid restrictions.
Figures obtained by the Observer via a Freedom of Information (FoI) request detailed the number of incidents of either drugging – when drugs are administered with intent to produce “stupefaction” – and incidents of administering a substance for sexual purposes since 2017 up until April this year.
The figures show that between 2017 and 2020 there was just one reported incident, in 2019.
However, the statistics show that last year saw a rise in the number of cases, with six.
In 2022, up to April 20, there had already been four cases reported.
The information showed that all 11 reported incidents are “currently undetected” meaning there have been no charges.
In October last year police confirmed they were investigating reports that a woman had her drink spiked in Tingle bar in the city centre on Saturday, October 16.
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In November, police were investigating a report of someone being spiked by injection at a city nightclub. It was understood at that time that the complaint came from someone who was in Fubar, in Maxwell Place, and was the first reported case of suspected spiking by injection in the city.
The trend of people believed to have been spiked during nights out saw a rapid increase nationally across Scotland.
In response to the FoI, Police Scotland noted: “Police Scotland continues to investigate reports of ‘spiking’. Spiking, whether by adding drugs or alcohol to someone’s drink, or by injection, without their consent, is a criminal offence. It can put people at significant risk of harm.
“Officers are not always able to determine the reasons why a perpetrator carries out an assault in this way, but every report is taken seriously and investigated robustly.
“Police Scotland continues to work with a range of partners, locally and nationally to ensure pubs and clubs are safe spaces for all.”
The Observer requested information on the number of reported cases of people having their drink spiked at licensed premises within the FK7, FK8, FK9, FK15, FK16, FK17, FK18, FK19, FK20 , FK21 and G63 postcode areas.
In all but one report, a sample was taken from the victim for testing.
A senior Police Scotland officer this week said that there has been a recent reduction in the number of incidents.
Assistant Chief Constable Bex Smith told the Observer: “We continue to investigate reports from people having been ‘spiked’ either with a needle or in their drink. Thankfully there has been a reduction in such instances since the small, but notable, increase towards the end of 2021, and at this time we do not believe that any of the reports are linked.
“We are not always able to determine the reasons why a perpetrator carries out an assault in this way, but would like to reassure you that every report is taken seriously and perpetrators are dealt with swiftly and robustly.
“People, should be able to go out for a night out without fear of being spiked. We are working with a range of partners, both locally and nationally, to ensure licensed premises are safe spaces for all, through the continued delivery of ByStander Awareness training. We are also working in partnership with other emergency services, student bodies, universities/colleges and third sector organisations to raise awareness and provide support for anyone affected.”
Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed said that last year’s series of reported cases was “incredibly worrying”.
This week she told the Observer: “In October last year, the reports of spiking caused serious alarm amongst women in particular. Whilst this fear over personal safety was not an unusual one for women, it was incredibly worrying.
“The increase since 2021 should be of concern to us all.
“I’m aware that hospitality venues in the city centre have taken steps to improve awareness of spiking and train staff in how to manage these, thankfully rare, situations. I’m also pleased that the Stirling Pubwatch scheme relaunched earlier this year to ensure people’s safety when enjoying a night out. ”
