What is spiking?

Spiking is a serious crime and form of assault. There is no time limit for reporting a spiking incident to the police so do seek help if you think you have been affected.

What is spiking?

Spiking is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into someone's drink or body without their knowledge or consent. It can be carried out for various motives, including theft, sexual assault, or even as an attempted joke.

Spiking is a serious crime. It’s a form of assault with penalties of up to 10 years in prison. This sentence can be even longer if the spiking leads to other crimes like theft or sexual assault.

Spiking can lead to serious physical and emotional consequences for the victim. Spiking can happen to anyone, regardless of gender or age and it's never the victim's fault.

There is no excuse for spiking.

Types of spiking

Drink spiking is the most common form of Spiking, this is when someone adds alcohol or drugs to your drink when you’re not looking. Other items including food or vapes, or e-cigarettes can also be spiked. Needle spiking, while rare, also became a serious concern in 2021.

Giving someone more alcohol or drugs than they agreed to and without their knowledge is also spiking. For example, giving someone double shots when they asked for a single shot.

Signs of a spiked drink

If you suspect your drink has been tampered with, look for these signs:

  • Excessive or unusual bubbles in a drink that should be flat
  • A cloudy appearance in a drink that should be clear
  • A change in taste—especially bitterness or saltiness
  • A change in colour
  • Unusual mixing patterns, such as sinking ice

Things to be mindful of when you’re out

  • Don't leave drinks unattended - even if you're just stepping away for a moment, either take your drink with you or get a new one.
  • Don't accept drinks from strangers - always get your own drinks and watch them being poured.
  • Don't ignore your friends - if a friend seems more intoxicated than they should be, it's better to be safe and get them help.

Read more on Safety on nights out.

How to tell if you've been spiked

If you start to feel unusual symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, nausea, excessive sleepiness, or disorientation, you might have been spiked. It's important to seek help immediately to get the medical attention you need.

Read more on how can Spiking can make you feel.

What to do if you or a friend have been spiked

  • Tell a member of security staff at the venue
  • Stay with your friend and keep talking to them
  • Make sure they don't go home by themselves or someone they don't know
  • Call an ambulance if they start to feel worse
  • In an emergency call 999 or report the incident to 101 (non-emergency number)

Reporting spiking to the police

You choose whether you decide to report the incident. The police offer several avenues for reporting drink spiking, and they take every report seriously.

You have the option to report even if you don't want to go through forensic testing or a full investigation.

It's your decision whether to provide a sample for testing. Information can help police find out what has happened, collect evidence and identify patterns to prevent future spiking incidents.

How to report

There is no time limit for reporting a spiking incident to the police. You can report spiking online, by calling 101 or in person at your local police station.

You can also report on someone else's behalf or report anonymously. If someone is receiving emergency treatment, medical staff can initiate the reporting process for them.

You can also reach out to Crimestoppers, a 24/7 independent charity service that allows you to report crimes anonymously.

The University provides emotional and practical support services and can connect you with external support if you need further help.

Where to get support

If you feel like there is an immediate danger or threat to life, please call the emergency services on 999.

Report + Support

If you would like to report something to City, you can use our online reporting platform, Report + Support.

Report + Support makes it easier to confidentially report a wide range of issues so that we can best support you.

Use this tool to report a concern, an incident that occurred, or to make a disclosure about your own or someone else's safety and well-being.

Report a concern or incident

University support

External support for victims of spiking

  • Victim Support - a 24/7 independent charity service dedicated to offering specialist and free support to victims of crime in England. Even if you haven’t reported the crime, you can still get support.
  • The Havens - If you have been the victim of rape or sexual assault within the last 12 months, The Havens can help. They offer urgent medical examinations and can be contacted 24/7.  They provide support at three London locations depending on your preference. You don’t have to be referred or speak to the police to use this service.
  • NHS - You can find your nearest, alternative rape and sexual assault referral centre here.  These services provide support to victims/survivors of rape or sexual assault regardless of whether you choose to report the offence to the police.  They provide a provide space for interviews and medical examinations.  Some may also offer counselling services.
  • Galop - an anti-violence charity offering emotional and practical support for LGBT+ victims of sexual violence, hate crime or domestic abuse.

Please see our Additional Student Support services page for a complete list.