Lincoln’s club goers returned this week after a nationwide boycott following several drink spiking incidents.
Security was tight with police sniffer dogs posted at the entrance of the University of Lincoln venue, the Engine Shed, with everyone having to pass a cordon before entering.
Lincolnshire police are currently investigating 18 reports of drink spiking despite the boycott on October 27.
Chief inspector Phil Baker said “I think anything that goes to raise issues by any groups is important. Everyone wants a safe night out.”
On Wednesday, October 27 Lincoln joined cities across the UK in the boycott to make a stand against drink spiking and demonstrate solidarity among women.
The University of Lincoln’s student union released a statement the night of the boycott, cancelling the club night ‘Quack!’. They said they can see “the national planned boycott has had an effect on ticket sales, so we have taken the decision to cancel.”
University of Lincolns Women’s Football Club participated in the boycott and their Vice President Savannah Evans said “We immediately knew we wanted to participate in the boycott to show our support against victims and to help prevent it from happening again. Wednesday nights out are so important to our society, but we had to stand up against drink spiking”.
<The University of Lincoln women’s football team joining the boycott and having a night in>
Lincoln city centre bar Trebles also saw the effects of the boycott.
Dan Grundy, Treble’s manager spoke about the effects of the boycott on this Lincoln bar, “Usually on a Wednesday we get around 400 people and due to the boycott, we haven’t even had 100. We understand the reasoning behind the boycott, and we are in the same boat as everyone else as we want this spiking to stop and for people to feel safe coming out.”
Despite this, bars and clubs across the country have taken many steps to try and prevent drink spiking from continuing. Lid covers and bottle blockers have been introduced and the student union now has sniffer dogs to prevent any substances getting into the venue.
<83% of 71 people asked across the country are boycotting. Nearly 60% of people not boycotting were male.>
A petition for more thorough searches in night clubs is nearly on 173,000, sign it and help put a stop this drink spiking, https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/598986.
