Police have issued a warning about drink spiking ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations. Manchester city centre is expected to be bustling, in the first restriction-free festive period since the pandemic.
Officers have urged revellers to remain 'extra vigilant' and know what steps to take if they suspect drink spiking or any other crime when out enjoying the celebrations.
Steps include urging people not to accept a drink they haven't seen being prepared, socialise and stay with trusted friends, not leaving their drinks unattended and reporting anything suspicious to staff and the police.
National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Violence Against Women and Girls, Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth said: "In order to have the best chance of identifying drugs and bringing offenders to justice, our message to anyone who thinks they have been spiked is to report early and be tested by the police.
"Don’t let the fact that you might have knowingly taken illegal drugs, stop you from reporting. It’s really important that if you do think you have been spiked and you have taken drugs that you let the officer know so that they have the full picture. Report drink spiking immediately."
You can report any crime to GMP by calling 101 or via the GMP website using the reporting tool, calling 999 in an emergency or reporting information anonymously toi crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Information on drink spiking and date rape drugs is available here, with support for rape and sexual assault online here. Take a look at Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)'s 'Good Night Out' guide here.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- The Greater Manchester town that's so happy 'you feel like you're on holiday'
- 'I used to be a confident and outgoing person but long Covid has ruined my life'
- I tried cheap Prosecco from Aldi, Sainsbury’s, M&S, Tesco, Morrisons, Asda and Lidl - here's which one you should toast the New Year with
- The pictures that bring back memories of Greater Manchester's classic cinemas
- He was once branded 'Britain's most wanted man'... and now Greater Manchester's worst rapist is back on the street despite THIRTEEN life sentences
