Ninth Report - Spiking
Select Committee
Home Affairs Committee
HC 967
26 April 2022
Recommendations
3 results
10
Deferred
Para 54
Consider support package for night-time industry to boost security and staff recruitment
Recommendation
As part of its wider VAWG strategy, the Government should consider a support package for night-time industries to boost security measures including the recruitment and training of additional door security staff, particularly female staff.
Government Response Summary
The government did not address the recommendation for a support package for night-time industries to boost security and recruit staff, instead focusing on concerns about the efficacy of non-lab-based spiking test kits and existing forensic testing capabilities.
Home Office
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11
Deferred
Para 59
Strengthen licensing authority powers and guidance to prevent spiking and gender-based violence
Recommendation
We are concerned that the Government is not doing enough to monitor licensing authorities’ use of powers to regulate the night-time economy, both with specific regard to spiking incidents and more generally in relation to violence against women and girls. …
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Government Response Summary
The government did not address the recommendation to monitor licensing authorities' use of powers or to review section 182 guidance, instead stating it will consider research into the motivations of spiking offenders.
Home Office
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22
Deferred
Need for government strategy to address factors inhibiting spiking prosecutions
Recommendation
To increase the deterrent effect of increased prosecutions, Government should devise a strategy to address each of the factors that inhibit prosecution from lack of reporting through to failure to collect forensic evidence. (Paragraph 103) 42 Spiking
Government Response Summary
The government recognises factors inhibiting spiking prosecutions and has begun discussions with police, CPS, and the Attorney General's office, with outcomes to be included in a statutory report by April 2023.
Home Office
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Conclusions (5) Observations and findings — click to expand
2
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 12
We believe that a more formal and higher standard is required for outdoor music festivals owing to the comparatively younger age of festival-goers and the additional vulnerability that arises from their camping over at such festivals.
Government Response Summary
The government's response focused on improving data collection and victim support for spiking incidents, including establishing a new NPCC reporting mechanism, deflecting from the recommendation for a more formal and higher standard of safeguarding at outdoor music festivals.
3
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 18
No-one knows how prevalent spiking is, whether by drink, drug or needle, and no-one knows what causes perpetrators to do it. Anecdotal evidence suggests the practice is widespread and dangerous, and that many people, particularly young, particularly women, are affected by it and are afraid they will be spiked on …
Government Response Summary
The government committed to bringing forward its deadline to 26 October for updating Parliament on whether it intends to introduce a specific criminal offence for spiking, but did not directly commit to gathering more accurate data on the prevalence and causes of spiking.
9
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 54
There is strong support for increased security measures in night-time venues, but critical shortages in door security staff.
Government Response Summary
The government did not address the recommendation about increasing security measures or addressing door staff shortages, instead detailing the existing rapid urine testing service established by law enforcement and Eurofins.
12
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 66
We are pleased to learn there are many initiatives across the country to tackle spiking but are concerned that without a national strategy to ensure a consistent, wholesale approach, the current patchwork of initiatives may make those in parts of the country that have not yet taken action more vulnerable …
Government Response Summary
The government did not commit to a national strategy for a consistent approach to anti-spiking initiatives, but instead outlined preliminary discussions with police and legal bodies regarding factors inhibiting prosecutions, with outcomes to be included in a statutory report by April 2023.
21
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 103
Successful prosecution has a deterrent value for both actual and would-be spikers and sends a clear message that spiking is a crime. We are therefore disappointed by the very low number of successful prosecutions for spiking offences.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the need for more successful prosecutions and will include the outcomes of discussions with police forces, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Attorney General’s office on factors inhibiting prosecutions in the statutory report on spiking, due to be published no later than 28 April 2023.