Only a quarter of drink spiking crimes are detected

6 Dec 2018

Only a quarter of reported crimes of drink spiking for sexual purposes are being detected, according to the latest figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives.

The Freedom of Information response shows that 21 crimes of drugging and administering a substance for sexual purpose have been recorded so far this year, however, only 4 of them have been detected.

On the day that Girls Against Spiking has been launched, to campaign for lids on drinks, the Scottish Conservatives have highlighted the disparity between the figures and stated that the reported crimes could be the ‘tip of the iceberg’.

Annie Wells, Scottish Conservative spokesman on public health said:

“It is extremely worrying to see any crimes of drugging for sexual purposes are still occurring year on year, and potentially increasing.

“We know that the level of reporting of these crimes is low, so this could be just the tip of the iceberg.

“Of an even greater concern, is the low level of detection rate for these very serious crimes, which have absolutely devastating effects on the victims.

“Victims must be encouraged to come forward, and these are crimes that must be rooted out across our communities.

“Police Scotland must have the resources it needs in order to catch those who carry out these serious offences.”

And, on the launch of Girls Against Spiking:

“I am pleased to see the launch of this very important initiative which has brought together many important stakeholders including the Police and Strathclyde University.

“We need to be looking at a number of measures which can stop drink spiking altogether, one of which is the measure to put plastic lids on drinks in our pubs and clubs, so this a very positive step in the right direction.

“The figures show that a number of crimes relating to drugging for sexual purposes are still occurring year on year, with the detection rates worryingly low.

“Drink spiking has an absolutely devastating effect on victims and I hope that initiatives like Girls Against Spiking can help bring about an urgently needed reduction in the amount of crimes relating to this.

“By working closely together, I believe we can help to root out drink spiking and ensure that people do not have to suffer the awful consequences of these crimes.”