Nottingham has long had a nationwide reputation as a good night out with people flocking into the city centre from near and far to enjoy themselves. But, like all cities, it does have its issues to address and one of those is drinks being spiked after many cases were reported here and elsewhere in the country.
Although the police and nightlife industry has made a a real effort to stamp the problem out, some drinkers say they are always on guard to stop it happening to them.
Back in October, women opened up about their negative experiences they had on a night out, and voiced their fears over reports of a spiking hike. Jasmine Sadler, a student at the Nottingham Trent University said she does not go out as much as she used to.
"It is really sad," the 21-year-old said. "All we want is to feel safe when we go out, but you can never be too sure of people's intentions." She described herself as a friendly person, who used to interact with strangers on a night out. "I am not doing that anymore," she added. "And I only go out with large groups of friends."
Her friend Krystal Chitezn, 20, agreed, adding: "It feels like as a woman you will never feel safe. You cannot trust anyone."
Georgia Mointford, a student from Birmingham who visits a friend regularly in Nottingham, added: "I noticed that people do not leave their drinks unattended now. It is good to see venues in Nottingham offering lids that you can put over the glass."
The 19-year-old added: "I do not go out as much as I used to that is for sure. It is quite depressing to know that we will never feel safe when we go out. It is crazy that a few months ago we had all these women coming forward and now it feels like everyone forgot about it."
Tahmineh Beheshi, a surveyer in Nottingham, 35, added: "I used to enjoy a night out in Nottingham, I was going out loads especially as a student. I used to work in a bar and then go out with my friends after my shift to another pub after my shift. The clubs and bars in Nottingham are great."
She added: "I only go out with a small friends group and my partner. I always go to the same venue which is a small bar in Nottingham that not many people know about. I do not drink as much as I used to either."
At the other side of the bar table, Joe Conyers, a bartender at The Dragon on Long Row, said: "When a woman is in danger we feel the responsibility to intervene. But it is like being a good human being and I would like to think that everyone is the same."
The 25-year-old added: "Someone I know was spiked last year, and it was terrifying just to hear it from someone that I know. We never had any issues here, but we are always there if someone needs us."
A bartender from The Blind Rabbit said that they offer lids to customers if they ask for them, and always watch someone's drink if they go out to the smoking area. She added: "Since all that stuff happened, I am always watching other people's drinks and make sure they are not spiked".
Bartender Grace Calloway, who works part-time at the Percy Picklebackers, said that bartenders have a responsibility to look after their clients. She said: "If they are too drunk and intoxicated we cannot serve them. But there are ways and you can tell if someone is drunk or has been spiked."
Ms Calloway said that the majority of venues in Nottingham, likes elsewhere in the country, have implemented the safety initiative 'Ask for Angela'. A woman who does not feel safe while on a date can go to the bar and simply ask for Angela, which is a code for asking for help.
Avarni Bilan, founder of Fly Girl in Nottingham, said that many women told the organisation that they are wary on a night out.
Fly Girl is an organisation which advocates for women's rights and their safety in Nottingham. Ms Bilan told Nottinghamshire Live: "In our meetings, women said that they no longer go out, or prefer to stay sober than risk getting spiked. And the majority of them do not trust the local authorities to protect them."
Inspector Paul Gummer, of the City Centre neighbourhood policing team, said: “Nottingham is a safe place to enjoy a night out. The city has had Purple Flag status since 2010 – giving it national recognition as a safe and vibrant city.
"This recognition comes from the fact when people go out in Nottingham they can relax in the knowledge that there is a huge support network of partner agencies working behind the scenes to ensure revellers can just concentrate on having a good time and that help is at hand if they need it. This support network includes police officers in high-visibility and plain clothes roles, community protection officers, highly-trained door and bar staff who all work as a team to keep people safe on a night out.
“The national issue of spiking has received media attention over the last year and it is an issue that police forces around the country deal with. Here in Nottingham we have increased our collective efforts across each of the partner agencies to tackle this type of crime. The force has been praised for its work alongside our partners in dealing with the matter and making sure the public were kept informed on how we tackled the issue.
“We have not noted any difference in the numbers of women going out since November and I would reassure anyone visiting Nottingham that they will be well looked after here and that our officers are here should they be needed and can be seen patrolling the streets making sure everyone is safe.”
