In the past month there have been 18 reports of spiking in Lincolnshire, two of which are being investigated as spiking via injection.
A rise in spikings have left young women in Lincoln, and nationwide, scared to go on nights out. The advice given is to wear long sleeves, use drink toppers and to never go out alone, but to many this is already second nature.
A Lincoln victim of spiking who wishes to remain anonymous said they have been left “utterly terrified” by their experience with only “vague memories of being paralysed on the bathroom floor of a club” after sharing a drink with a friend, bought by a seemingly kind stranger.
The victim added: “When you’re drunk you can at least function in a way that doesn’t put yourself in danger, but in that scenario, I wasn’t even able to physically move without assistance that’s why it’s so frightening.
“It’s a position I’d never wish for anyone to be in, and it shouldn’t be up to girls to protect themselves.”
The 21-year-old recounts how grateful she was that the staff and health services were “pretty aware of the difference of what I was going through compared to an ordinary drunk person”.
A shocking 92 percent of victims don’t report being spiked for fear of not being believed. However, Chief inspector Phil Baker of Lincolnshire Police urges anyone affected by the issue to “come forward” as the “staff and the venues are there to help you”.
Lincolnshire Police have launched Operation Vicinity which aims to protect women by working with “neighbourhood policing teams and any partners that can add value to ensure that we’re trying to keep people as safe as possible”.
As part of Operation Vicinity “all the venues are getting increased training, increased support and are very much aware of how to help and deal with anyone that may have been a victim of drink spiking”
Chief Inspector Baker said: “You shouldn’t have to go out and be worried about the fact you can’t enjoy yourself.”
You can report spiking to the police here and for more advice on staying safe click here.
